From K M Balavenkatesh,KGF: Are the residents of KGF afraid of the Aashada wind? It appears so, for at the onset of the season, traders, farmers, and other residents residents look forward to this season with some amount of dread. Nearly seven years after the closure of the gold mines, the people of this region face a serious problem in the months of July and August - the winds that carry with them cyanide particles, from the piles in the mines. About 46 million tonnes of dust has been dug up from the gold mines in the City. But the mud that is discarded after gold is extracted, now occupies a good 12 square kilometre area around the mines. From afar, what appears to be a wall of mud has been the cause of the significant rise in respiratory problems among the residents. If the same situation persists, then the spread of silicosis, which is known to affect mine workers, is very likely. But it is indeed unfortunate that the problem has gone largely unnoticed. The residents too, have no option, but to consume the water supplied by the corporation, which has traces of cyanide in it. If this problem persists, the repercussions are bound to be terrible. The huge piles of cyanide-contaminated dust have been causing grave problems when they come into contact with wind, air and water. It is common knowledge that the dust piles near the mines are contaminated with cyanide. During the rains, the rain water mixes with these particles, and pollute the environment. Wind woes Sometimes, heavy winds kick up small dust storms, and the particles get deposited all over the city, and even in the surrounding villages. These particles, which have also been deposited in the cultivable lands, have rendered them barren. The trees and plants around the city have not been spared either. The gold mines were closed a few years ago, but the mismanagement of these piles has created a host of problems. When the mines were operational, a layer of red soil was put over these dust piles before the onset of Aashada, in an attempt to prevent the cyanide particles from being carried away by the heavy winds. But now that the mines have been closed, no action is being taken in this regard. Few years ago, the administration had called for tenders, for the depositing of red soil over these piles. But this had no effect - what with the contractors making away with the government's money.