Flames, smoke continue to emerge from massive landfill in Delhi

NEW DELHI, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Flames and columns of thick smoke continued to emerge from a massive landfill in the Indian capital city of New Delhi on Monday, officials said.

Firefighting operations were underway and firefighters were splashing water on the burning mounds of garbage.

The fire has continued at the colossal landfill site since it broke out on Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, toxic fumes emanating from the landfill have left residents in the neighborhood to gasp for breath.

"There is a pungent smell all around. The smoke is poisonous and causes irritation in the eyes," Dileep Pandey, a local resident, said. "We are also facing difficulty in breathing."

While the cause of the fire remained undetermined, authorities have initiated legal proceedings against unidentified individuals in relation to the incident.

According to the Delhi Fire Services department, the landfill caught fire because of the methane produced in the heaps of waste.

Officials listed hot and dry weather conditions as the reason behind the blaze.