Trash burning in Erbil province on August 7, 2022. Photo: Rudaw
KANI QIRZHALA, Kurdistan Region - A cloud of smoke has blanketed the air of Kani Qirzhala sub-district in Erbil province as trash continues to be burned for disposal for over a week now. The area houses a landfill site that receives Erbil's waste
The smell of smoke has left residents complaining, especially those who suffer from health issues.
“If I do not have this inhaler, I will immediately die within seconds and even doctors cannot help me,” asthma patient Aziz Raza told Rudaw’s Farhad Dolamari on Sunday.
Burning trash releases dangerous toxins and greenhouse gases, such as methane into the air.
Some residents have been forced to sell their houses due to the constant burning of trash and its bad odor.
Erbil governor has instructed municipal and environmental protection teams to put out the fire as soon as possible.
“One of the main topics of our meeting was about Kani Qirzhala trashes and how Erbil’s trash has been collected in that particular place. Solutions have been found to this concern,” Omed Khoshnaw said.
Erbil’s trash has been collected and buried in Kani Qirzhala’s garbage site since 2003.
It receives at least two thousand tons of trash daily, according to data from Erbil’s municipality.
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