Three Decades On, Bhopal Gas Tragedy's Grim Legacy Continues to Haunt Survivors

MUMBAI, INDIA - Nearly four decades since the world witnessed the worst industrial disaster in human history, the Bhopal gas tragedy continues to cast a long shadow on the survivors and their descendants. Although the physical remnants of the poisonous waste have been cleared, the lasting health effects and emotional scars persist.

On December 2, 1984, a tragic night that will forever be etched in the collective memory of India, the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal became a nightmare for humanity. Methyl isocyanate (MIC), a deadly gas, leaked from the factory, releasing approximately 40 tonnes into the atmosphere. This toxic cloud engulfed nearby communities, claiming over 3,000 lives within days and leaving a staggering number of people severely affected.

Eyewitnesses recall that night in horror as it rained acid-like rain in the city. Survivors are still struggling to cope with the long-term physical effects - chronic respiratory problems, eye damage, and reproductive health complications were rampant among those exposed to the gas. Since 1992, Dr. R. Dhara's study has consistently linked MIC exposure to inflammation of lungs and eyes, as well as an increase in spontaneous abortions and psychological disorders.

Despite years of grueling struggles by survivors seeking justice and compensation, the reality remains grim. Data from the Sambhavna Trust indicates that mortality rates among those exposed are 28% higher than average. Survivors continue to face increased risks of cancer, kidney diseases, and lung disorders. The burden on women, in particular, is disproportionate, with many experiencing infertility, early menopause, and childbirth difficulties.

Furthermore, children born to survivors have suffered greatly from birth defects, cerebral palsy, autism, muscular dystrophy, and other disabilities. In 2016-17, an Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) study reported a staggering 9% prevalence of birth defects among babies born to mothers exposed to gas.

While the physical rubble has been cleared, many survivors and activists are still clamoring for justice and answers - nearly four decades on from that fateful night in Bhopal.