Sewage 'miracle' fools thousands
By Tom Anderson
Published: 20 August 2006
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article1220472.ece
Thousands of people ignored repeated pleas from
officials and swarmed over one of India's most toxic
beaches after rumours spread that the sea water had
turned sweet and could cure illnesses.
Traffic came to a standstill as crowds rushed to the
Mahim beach in Bombay and drank water from cupped
hands before taking it home in bottles, jars and
makeshift containers.
Many saw it as a blessing from Makhdoom Ali Mahimi, a
13th-century Sufi saint.
But this is not a healthy place. The sandy beach marks
the point at which the Mithi River, an unofficial dump
for the untreated sewage and industrial waste of
Bombay, flows out of India's financial and
entertainment capital into the Arabian sea.
Children regularly dive into the toxic waters off the
Mahim beach to search for coins or anything of value
that may have been thrown away.
Health officials warned that high quantities of
nitrate had been found in the water. One said: "This
water is not safe for drinking. We have assigned
guards to ensure people do not drink water and we are
going to distribute medi-cines in hospitals."
Scientists have speculated the phenomenon could be due
to heavy rains in the area. Rainwater, lighter than
seawater, drains into the sea and floats to the
surface, tasting relatively sweet.
The beach was considered strategically important by
the British in the 17th century. In 1669, when British
forces were seeking a foothold in Bombay, Governor
Gerald Augler claimed it was the prettiest beach he
had ever seen. Slum-dwellers now use the old British
fort as an open-air toilet.
"All sewage goes into Mithi River and from there to
the sea and the waves bring the waste back to the
shore," one local said.
By Tom Anderson
Published: 20 August 2006
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article1220472.ece
Thousands of people ignored repeated pleas from
officials and swarmed over one of India's most toxic
beaches after rumours spread that the sea water had
turned sweet and could cure illnesses.
Traffic came to a standstill as crowds rushed to the
Mahim beach in Bombay and drank water from cupped
hands before taking it home in bottles, jars and
makeshift containers.
Many saw it as a blessing from Makhdoom Ali Mahimi, a
13th-century Sufi saint.
But this is not a healthy place. The sandy beach marks
the point at which the Mithi River, an unofficial dump
for the untreated sewage and industrial waste of
Bombay, flows out of India's financial and
entertainment capital into the Arabian sea.
Children regularly dive into the toxic waters off the
Mahim beach to search for coins or anything of value
that may have been thrown away.
Health officials warned that high quantities of
nitrate had been found in the water. One said: "This
water is not safe for drinking. We have assigned
guards to ensure people do not drink water and we are
going to distribute medi-cines in hospitals."
Scientists have speculated the phenomenon could be due
to heavy rains in the area. Rainwater, lighter than
seawater, drains into the sea and floats to the
surface, tasting relatively sweet.
The beach was considered strategically important by
the British in the 17th century. In 1669, when British
forces were seeking a foothold in Bombay, Governor
Gerald Augler claimed it was the prettiest beach he
had ever seen. Slum-dwellers now use the old British
fort as an open-air toilet.
"All sewage goes into Mithi River and from there to
the sea and the waves bring the waste back to the
shore," one local said.
