Officials suspect the source of the plastic could be linked to a recent cargo ship mishap off the coast of Vizhinjam in Kerala, where the MSC ELSA 3 cargo ship reportedly lost containers at sea.
Published Jun 10, 2025 | 6:52 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 10, 2025 | 6:52 PM
Plastic raw material washes ashore in Dhanushkodi. (Screengrab)
Synopsis: The alarm was first raised on Monday, 9 June, when local police in Dhanushkodi were informed that over 50 large sacks of unknown chemical material had washed ashore. Upon investigation by the Coastal Police and local authorities, the material was identified as polypropylene granules, a base substance used in the production of medical equipment, plastic products, and toys.
Large quantities of unknown plastic material has washed ashore in Dhanushkodi, a coastal stretch near Rameshwaram, causing panic among the locals and the fisherfolk.
The alarm was first raised on Monday, 9 June, when local police in Dhanushkodi were informed that over 50 large sacks of unknown chemical material had washed ashore. Upon investigation by the Coastal Police and local authorities, the material was identified as polypropylene granules, a base substance used in the production of medical equipment, plastic products, and toys.
Officials suspect the source of the plastic could be linked to a recent cargo ship mishap off the coast of Vizhinjam in Kerala, where the MSC ELSA 3 cargo ship reportedly lost containers at sea.
They believe that some of the lost cargo may have drifted southward due to ocean currents and eventually ended up along the Dhanushkodi coast.
Later, scientists from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) also confirmed that the substance found is indeed polypropylene — a raw material frequently used in manufacturing plastic products — and expressed concern over its potential impact on marine ecosystems, particularly on marine mammals and coastal biodiversity.
Officials from the Department of Fisheries and Revenue are engaged in extensive clean up operations along the coastline, with sanitation workers from municipalities in Rameswaram, Keelakarai, Paramakudi, and other surrounding towns dispatched to remove the chemical debris.
Workers are seen using sieves and filters to separate the plastic granules from the sand.
This marks the second consecutive day that chemical-laden plastic sacks have been washing up along the coastline, raising environmental and marine life concerns. The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait, considered sensitive marine ecosystems that are home to rare species of marine mammals, could be at risk due to the accumulation of plastic materials in their natural habitat.
Despite official reassurances from fisheries authorities that there is no immediate danger to local communities, fisherfolk across Rameswaram Island are expressing fear and concern.
The Department of Fisheries has also advised local traditional boat fishers not to venture into the sea or cast their nets in the affected regions between Dhanushkodi and Pamban until further notice.
On 25 May MSC ELSA 3 sank off near the coast of Vizhinjam in Kerala. As per unofficial reports, among the dangerous goods onboard were calcium carbide, quick lime, slaked lime, hydraulic lime, hydrazine, polyethene, polymers, and bleached chemi-thermo mechanical pulp — substances known to pose serious environmental and public health risks if released into marine ecosystems.
The vessel was carrying 643 containers when it ran into trouble. By 9 June, a total of 64 containers had been beached across various districts — with Kollam witnessing the highest count at 49, followed by Thiruvananthapuram (13) and Alappuzha (two).
Additionally, 21 barrels have also drifted ashore, sparking concerns among coastal communities and fisherfolk.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
