A thick layer of toxic foam covered parts of the sacred Yamuna River near India's capital city of New Delhi Wednesday. Despite the presence of the toxic foam, hundreds of Hindus still gathered on the banks of the river to celebrate the religious festival of Chhath Puja.
Some devotees even braved the toxic waters and bathed in the river, despite warnings that the toxic foam could cause serious health problems. Experts said the toxic white frothing on the river might have been caused by a mixture of sewage and industrial waste. The foam had formed over the past week and covered portions of the holy river.
Experts said high levels of ammonia and phosphates cause the pungent smell from the foam. Those that come into contact with the foam may experience skin issues, and those that inhale the fumes could be at risk of respiratory problems.
The foam formed on the river as Hindus celebrated the Chhath Puja - a festival honoring the sun god Lord Surya. Some devotees said they had no choice but to bathe in the toxic and polluted river as it was part of their religious obligations.
India's South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers, and People (SANDRP) said the Yamuna river is effectively an "ecologically dead river." The agency said no fish or fresh water birds have been on the river for years due to heavy pollution.
For decades, poisonous chemicals and untreated sewage have been dumped in areas of the Yamuna. The river seems black and sludgy in certain places, and plastic debris lines its banks.
Because of the dense population and high quantities of garbage in Delhi, the river is most polluted in the districts around the city. According to a government monitoring commission, Delhi contributes around 76% of the river's overall pollution burden while being just 2% of the river's length.
Environmental activists have also blamed the continued illegal dumping of industrial waste and sewage for the formation of toxic foam. Local environmental groups have also blamed New Delhi's dyeing industry as being one of the major polluters to the river.
In 2017, foam with a similar appearance formed on Varthur Lake in Bangalore's southern suburbs. The foamy chemical mixture was pushed onto highways by strong gusts of wind. A lake in Bangalore exploded in flames the same year, which scientists say was caused by residues of petroleum in the water.
