Fire at Meethotamulla garbage dump
Posted by Editor on January 1, 2018 - 2:36 pm
A fire broke out at a section of the massive garbage pile at Meethotamulla this morning, the Police said.
They said three water bowsers and two fire fighting vehicles have been dispatched to the site immediately and were able to bring the fire under control.
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Asoka Ranwala granted bail December 12, 2025
- MP Asoka Ranwala arrested for reckless driving December 12, 2025
- ADB approves $200 Million loan to boost Sri Lanka’s Mahaweli Development Program December 12, 2025
- Sri Lankan companies donate generously to “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” fund for Cyclone Ditwah relief December 12, 2025
- Court orders re-issuance of warrants in Central Bank bond scam case December 12, 2025
oxidation of garbage in under anaerobic conditions lead to the production of methane which is stable under normal atmospheric pressure. however when it is brought under pressure with several thousand tonnes of garbage methane implodes causing a massive fire and is spectacular. after the implosion the fire continues on its self destruct process. What is seen in the photograph is a sequence to the process.
If the authorities continue to pile up garbage at meethotatmulla one can expect another explosion to take place i n another ten years or so.
By the time the contractors arrive to clean up the garbage there will only be a fraction of the dump to be cleaned up.
Since the authorities have yet to resolve the garbage issue they ought to continue to dump garbage at meethotamulla and pump methane out of the pile and use the gas to run pumps to drain the water.