Cachar Officials Warn Against Jatinga River Water After Chemical Spill

Guwahati: Cachar officials warned residents to stay clear of the Jatinga River. A tanker carrying formalin crashed near the Jatinga Bridge on July 4. The spill forced local authorities to act fast. They fear the hazardous chemical seeped directly into the water supply.

The Cachar District Disaster Management Authority issued a strict advisory. People must not drink, cook with, or enter the river water for 48 hours. Livestock must also stay away. Officials stated: "The district administration has advised people not to drink or use the river water for cooking, avoid entering the river, and refrain from allowing livestock to consume the water for the next 48 hours."

The Public Health Engineering Department hit the brakes on its water extraction project in the Barkhola Assembly constituency. The plant pulls water from the river, and officials refuse to take chances with public health. Teams are keeping a close watch on the site. Residents must follow the order until further notice.