Pollution in Ranchi Lake, along with in other areas of the state capital, is on the rise. Water contamination has become a threat this summer.

Ranchi, April 25: Ranchi Lake showed the first signs of water contamination in the city when its fishes were found dead in mid-February. The authorities informed the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) about it, but no steps were taken.

The lake still lies green, infested with toxic elements.

Shashi Ranjan Mishra, administrator of RMC pointed out that the organisation does not have adequate funds to adopt remedial measures.

In fact, it had sent a proposal to the government about a year-and-a-half ago but to no avail, he added.

Like the Ranchi Lake, groundwater in almost all the areas in city is getting contaminated due to high presence of toxic elements like iron, fluoride and nitrate.

According to city-based geologist of Ranchi University Nitish Priyadarshi, a recent survey carried out in the city has thrown up startling results.

Nearly in all areas of the city, the iron content in the ground water has increased considerably, starting from 3 mg per litre and soaring. The normal level is 0.1 mg per litre.

An unusual level of fluoride, from 1.5 mg to 2 mg per litre against a normal fluoride content of 0.1 mg per litre was noticed specifically in areas of Harmu and the Airport. In Garwha of Palamau district, the fluoride content ranges from 2 to 5 mg per litre.

Another geologist of ground water cell, mines and geology department Arun Kumar told The Telegraph that the situation in the city is indeed very alarming. A high content of fluoride leads to deformity of bones especially among children.

Geologists also warned that the high content of nitrate was reported from North Office and South Office Para. It was found present in densely populated areas like Hindpiri and Ratu Road.

According to researches shown by WHO such contamination leads to blue babies.

Contaminated due to the presence of bacteria and organic and inorganic organisms is causing a spate of stomach infections. Besides, the residents of such areas run the risk of jaundice.