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The fire at the Bhalswa landfill site in North Delhi for the past six days has disrupted the lives and livelihoods of the people living in the adjoining areas.

Most of the people living around the 17-storey high dumpster are junk traders.

On one hand, while many of them are risking their lives amid the fire to earn their daily wages, many others are not working as they are suffering from health issues due to the smoke.

A massive fire broke out here on Tuesday evening.

High flames and thick smoke have been seen in many videos.

Scrap dealer Masuda Bibi (45), narrating the ordeal, said that since the fire broke out, she could not sleep at night. 

Masuda said, "We are not sleeping since the fire.

We had to request a relative to let us stay at his house.

The smoke from the dustbin is entering the house.

I am cooking food by covering my face somehow.

He said that he cannot stop his work even for a day because of the fire as he earns his livelihood from it.

Another scrap dealer Firoz Shaikh (48) said that the number of laborers has come down after the fire, especially due to health problems.

He said, "From the day the fire broke out, my eyes are burning a lot.

The last few days have been very difficult for me and my family.

There is no relief even by running a fan.

Firoz said, "After the fire, the number of laborers has also reduced.

But, those who are alone and their family is not here, they will have to come back and work in spite of the fire.

Manav, another 22-year-old scrap dealer from Bhalswa, said a friend of his had died in an incident when a part of the garbage dump collapsed last year.

He said, "Last year a friend of mine had died after a part of the garbage dump fell.

I do junk work.

I have developed skin allergy after starting work here.

This happens every year during summer and hence, it becomes difficult to work.

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh on North Delhi Municipal Corporation for negligence and not taking appropriate steps in preventing fire at Bhalswa landfill.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has also blamed "corruption" in the municipal corporation for the frequent fires at landfill sites in the city.

He has said that the BJP-ruled municipal bodies should use bulldozers to clear the garbage.

Children's resource centre, Gyan Sarovar School, for children of waste pickers living near the Bhalswa landfill site, has been closed for a week as thick smoke billows in the area.

This year there have been three incidents of fire at the Ghazipur landfill site in East Delhi, including one on March 28, which was doused after more than 50 hours.

Wet waste dumped in landfill produces methane when it decomposes.

In hot weather conditions, the methane itself catches fire, leading to such phenomena.

Also read: Even after spending 550 crores, the mountains of

garbage

have not ended in Delhi, Bhalswa landfill is still blazing

Delhi: Fire at Bhalswa landfill site has been burning for 5 days, Women's Commission summons MCD and seeks answers

Rs 50 lakh fine on North Delhi Municipal Corporation in case of fire