M'mulla garbage dump may explode: Japanese researchers

22 April 2017 10:08 am - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Visiting Japanese research experts yesterday warned of a methane gas explosion caused under pressure from within the Meethotamulla garbage mountain at any moment and result in more lives being lost.

A member of the Japanese Scientific Research Team which arrived in the country on Thursday made their first field inspection tour of the garbage dump last morning and urged authorities to evacuate the residents in the vicinity.

Initial tests by the researchers showed the environment to be highly polluted and while there was no methane gas released from the upper area of the garbage dump, there were pockets of gas trapped inside the mountain.

They said at least 16 per cent of the air pockets contained methane gas and this could be lethal when compared with a maximum of 1.5 percent at a normal level.

The scientists also advised the backhoes taken to the top of the mountain be brought down immediately, because the methane gas could cause the machines to explode making matters even worse.

They said a report would be compiled as soon as investigations were completed. (Yoshitha Perera)

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Comments - 29

ceylon Saturday, 22 April 2017 01:40 PM

exactly right time lankas true friend japan came for help.follow the science based advice quickly and avoid the next more worse destruction. via DM Android App

sharm Tuesday, 25 April 2017 04:51 PM

pls don't look down upon Rawana, BBS is ok to be a target. whatever said and done, no one has taken a proper step to study on the techniques of King Rawana's era so far. that we have to admit whether you like it or not..

sharmaine Tuesday, 25 April 2017 04:48 PM

Sri Lanka is into more imports than exports..don't you understand???

ranmala Saturday, 22 April 2017 09:46 PM

Well said sir. All these buffoons in the parliament are responsible for this. People atleast think now and stop going behind MPs. They are simply useless.

Egad Saturday, 22 April 2017 07:30 PM

Initial collapse of the slope may have been due to build up of gases generated within the dump and explosion or lifting of garbage above, As a layman I commented so against initial reports. There were fires and helicopters were dropping water as seen in TV broadcasts. Now Japanese experts are expressing high level of gas while our experts did not say so. Gas level deep down needs checking not on the surface.

SL Saturday, 22 April 2017 07:29 PM

local politician do need under hand money so they do not receive any local advice easily. however private firms are doing well with local engineers

Thanos Saturday, 22 April 2017 07:19 PM

Why couldn't BBS and the gang use their super advanced "Ravana" technology?

Titanic Saturday, 22 April 2017 04:54 PM

Try to get help from japan not from china china are cheaters. via DM Android App

kunuboy Saturday, 22 April 2017 04:16 PM

What happened to all the educated people in Sri Lanka ? they would have known this and . kept quite because it would have been dumped in their back yard.

Ash Saturday, 22 April 2017 03:59 PM

Actually, we have people who have PhD's in garbage disposal. unfortunately, in sri lanka as always expert opinions don't matter to politicians. But now that these japanese people has come in, they have to consider their opinion because if not, they will be scrutinized internationally as incompetent because they can't be silenced. and we all know all that matters to these stupid morons are saving their faces

DJ Saturday, 22 April 2017 03:52 PM

Not to worry our President will appoint an independent judge inquiry. Pay him money and questoon the Japanese and once gone the garbage will continue to be dumped

Haramanis Saturday, 22 April 2017 03:34 PM

We should send the President and PM and the entire cabinet to top of the garbage pile immediately

AUSLANKA Saturday, 22 April 2017 03:33 PM

What a shame for Sri Lanka? Problem here and in most cases are infighting politicians. So please do not vote for any of these parasites again.

Selvyn Saturday, 22 April 2017 02:26 PM

The tragedy reveals multi-faceted issues and warns the authorities to act fast. Any further delay by the govt will result in a catastrophe via DM Android App

Neville Saturday, 22 April 2017 02:14 PM

Just like our GMOA they are incompetent!

gobbaya Saturday, 22 April 2017 10:23 AM

crowning glory of being independent for 69 years....well done everyone the executivethe legislativethe judiciarythe state sector and the morons who keep voting them via DM Android App

Justica USA... Saturday, 22 April 2017 01:29 PM

blessing in disguise.if there is a minimal risk to life...best us to move the vulnerable people to safety...but pls compensate em decently... via DM Android App

stardust Saturday, 22 April 2017 12:38 PM

You see even for this simple matter we need foreign experts....what about our highly qualified engineers via DM Android App

ravin Saturday, 22 April 2017 11:52 AM

Oh !!! can methane be the caused of initial collapse?.

seqi Saturday, 22 April 2017 11:42 AM

Why dont we know this already What are ministers for Isnt science taught in schools Is there intelligent life in Sri Lanka via DM Android App

Nimal Saturday, 22 April 2017 11:40 AM

Thats we need expertise advise. please come up with proper disposal

Perera Saturday, 22 April 2017 11:38 AM

Methane is the gas used for LNG production. May be we can set an LNG plant at Meethotamulla !!!!!!!!!!!

Dinesh Saturday, 22 April 2017 11:24 AM

Sri lanka is not efficient as Japan. This report will be read understood and acted upon after the explosion and loss of innocent lives. For any decision is Sri Lanka, people have to died in their hundreds.....

Kadiya Saturday, 22 April 2017 11:10 AM

It's already exploded and now it may possibly be a double explosion!

Laljee/Qatar Saturday, 22 April 2017 10:59 AM

What a pathetic scenario.Our authorities didn't have a meter to monitor the Methane gas level but had enough money to spent on Super Luxury cars for the H.E .P.M.and for the cabinet members . God has send this Japanese experts thanks to them thousands of lives were saved from a definite catastrophe.This clearly shows our politicians Love for their people.

concerned Saturday, 22 April 2017 10:53 AM

So we don;t have local expertise to predict this until Japanese experts arrive. What a mess this country is in!!!!

Garbage Lankan Saturday, 22 April 2017 10:51 AM

Sri Lankan Modaya !!! Wonder Of Asia !!!

dilan Saturday, 22 April 2017 10:46 AM

they should start dumping garbage at parliament and GMOA office

sigiriya Saturday, 22 April 2017 10:37 AM

Local Government Elections are due soon. I would not be surprised to see Sri Lankans of all political hues as well as of all religions and all social identities, uniting in a manner never seen before and using their vote to defeat every ruling council.

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M'mulla garbage dump may explode: Japanese researchers

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