Chhath Puja 2022: What causes froth in Yamuna river in Delhi and why it is dangerous? - Explained

Chhath Puja 2022, toxic froth floats on Yamuna: It’s not just the air in Delhi that’s poisonous. One of India’s most sacred rivers, the Yamuna, is equally polluted, at least what the latest visuals have suggested. 

Delhi's river Yamuna looks like a snow-covered river, but actually it’s covered with toxic foam produced due to industrial waste.  As alarming as they might be, these visuals are not new, in fact, it has become quite a common sight for Delhiites. 

What causes froth in Yamuna river

It is important to note that just the 22-km stretch of the Yamuna river between Wazirabad and Okhla in Delhi, which is less than 2 per cent of its 1,370-km span from Yamunotri to Allahabad, accounts for around 80 per cent of the pollution load in the river. 

The national capital is not just braving pollution in the air, water pollution is also a grave issue. A thick layer of toxic foam is floating over river Yamuna in Delhi. The toxic foam is caused partly due to high ammonia levels that are released from industrial pollutants.

Sources of pollution that causes froth formation

The toxic foam is the high phosphate content in the wastewater. Detergents used in dyeing industries, dhobi ghats, and households are the major sources of phosphate. 

Wastewater from authorised colonies and settlements with high phosphate content reach the river through untapped drains. When water falls from a height at a barrage, the turbulence agitates the phosphoric compounds in the river which leads to the formation of froth

Experts say the problem of frothing will continue unless sewage treatment plants and common effluent treatment plants in Delhi are upgraded to meet the new standards and all unauthorised colonies are connected to the sewer network. Delhi generates around 770 MGD of wastewater. The 34 sewage treatment plants at 20 locations across Delhi treat up to 570 MGD of sewage. The rest empties into the river directly.

Government data shows that only eight of the 34 operational sewage treatment plants in Delhi meet the prescribed standards for wastewater (BOD and TSS less than 10 mg per litre). Together, they can treat 150 million gallons of wastewater a day. Sewer lines have been laid and commissioned in 716 of the 1,799 unauthorised colonies in the capital so far, government data showed. The 51-km Najafgarh drain is the largest in Delhi and it alone contributes around 60 per cent of the total wastewater discharged from the capital into the Yamuna.

What are the health hazards?

Bathing in the river's toxic foam can cause drying of skin and severe eczema. The foam can lead to skin allergies, irritation and many types of skin pigmentation. Those with family history of autoimmune diseases like diabetes and thyroid, can definitely experience this earlier and in varied forms. Also vitiligo or other autoimmune diseases can get triggered from the industrial pollution in the water.

If this water, which has high concentration of ammonia, is swallowed, these chemicals can cause serious damage to the lungs and lead to gastrointestinal problems and diseases like typhoid. "Long term exposure to heavy metals like lead, mercury and arsenic may cause hairfall, conjunctivitis and hormonal imbalances.

Precautions before taking bath in the Yamuna

The devotees must take precautions before taking bath in the Yamuna. Devotees should apply coconut oil before going into the river as it forms a barrier for some time and can prevent skin irritation. Avoid wearing synthetic clothes as they leach out allergens. Cotton clothes are ideal. Preferably an old dress will do as that leads to less chance of chemical induced allergy. 

Why river's froth is in news 

The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has faced flak for having to deploy boats in the polluted river to remove toxic froth at Kalindi Kunj banks on the occasion of Chhath puja celebrations. Last year, authorities had even erected bamboo structures and sprayed water from tankers to dissipate the foam.

AAP-BJP engage in blame-game

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Manoj Tiwari on Thursday (October 27) accused the Delhi government of spraying a "very poisonous chemical" to remove froth in the Yamuna ahead of Chhath Puja, during which devotees take a holy dip in the river. Reacting to the allegations, AAP MLA and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Vice Chairman Saurabh Bhardwaj said, "DJB's anti-foaming chemical technology has also been recommended by central government's NMCG (National Mission for Clean Ganga)".