Toxic foam covers the river in Delhi from which people drink (Video)

According to local reports, the white foam was first noticed near Kalindi Kunj on the outskirts of Delhi on Monday. In the video shared online, the froth, which looks like small icebergs, can be seen over the fast-flowing waters of the Yamuna River.

This isn’t the first time this kind of froth – which is thought to be caused by high levels of ammonia and phosphates – has formed on a waterway. After the froth surfaced in July 2020, the now-disbanded Yamuna Monitoring Committee called on city and federal authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

Direct contact can cause skin irritation and respiratory problems. Despite the obvious health risks, Hindu devotees continue their rituals on the banks of the river. The waterway flows through the world’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh.

About 70% of the water supply for Delhi comes from the river, and it provides livelihood for many fishermen in the region.

The development of the foam occurs when the city air is cured by celebratory fireworks to mark the Diwali festival over the weekend. The concentration of the toxic particulate matter PM2.5 reached well above the ‘safe’ level. The World Health Organization considers annual PM2.5 levels above five micrograms unsafe, although some readings reached 706 micrograms during Diwali in Delhi, according to information cited by Reuters.

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