Indore water contamination: Death toll reaches seven, over 100 hospitalised

The death toll in the Indore contaminated water incident in the Bhagirathpura area has reached seven, while more than 116 are undergoing treatment at several hospitals. Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava confirmed the casualties on Wednesday (December 31).

"The Health Department has officially reported the deaths of three people in the incident. However, according to my information, a total of seven people have died after falling ill in the Bhagirathpura area. The health department will issue its official figures. 36 people have been discharged from hospitals, and a total of over 116 people are reported to be ill so far," Bhargava told ANI.

'Situation being monitored'

He also said that the situation is being continuously monitored by the Indore Municipal Corporation and the Health Department.

"Our primary focus is to ensure that people receive good treatment and recover quickly. Our employees are going door-to-door and talking to people. We are all deeply saddened by this unfortunate situation. The municipal corporation is reaching out to people in all areas and ensuring that they receive proper care in hospitals," added the mayor.

MP CM announces compensation

Earlier, expressing grief over the deaths, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the state government will provide financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and bear the medical expenses of the affected persons.

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Local residents claimed that five people, including four women, have died so far after falling ill due to the consumption of contaminated water.

According to the local councillor, the residents of Bhagirathpura complained that the water supplied on December 25 had an unusual smell and people might have fallen ill after consuming it.

Leakage detected

Municipal Commissioner Dilip Kumar Yadav said a leakage has been detected in the main water supply pipeline at a place in Bhagirathpura, over which a toilet was found constructed.

Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Madhav Prasad Hasani said that after reports of a diarrhoea outbreak in Bhagirathpura, the health department surveyed 2,703 households and examined around 12,000 people, providing on-the-spot primary treatment to 1,146 patients with mild symptoms.

He said that 111 patients with relatively serious conditions were admitted to different hospitals, of whom 18 were discharged after treatment.

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"The patients said they suffered from vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration after drinking contaminated water," Hasani said.

According to him, several medical teams, along with four ambulances, have been deployed in the Bhagirathpura area to tackle the outbreak. Samples of drinking water from the locality have been collected and sent to laboratories for testing.

Earlier, Bhargava said he received information about the deaths of three persons due to diarrhoea in Bhagirathpura area, but did not disclose their identity.

While the water sample test reports are awaited, prima facie it appears that drainage water might have gotten mixed with drinking water supply lines, contaminating the water. Strict action will be taken against the officials for negligence, he added.

Congress demands culpable homicide case

The Congress demanded that a case of culpable homicide be filed against Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava and Municipal Commissioner Dilip Kumar Yadav over the deaths due to contaminated water.

State Congress president Jitu Patwari visited a private hospital in the city and enquired about the health of people who fell ill after drinking contaminated water.

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Addressing reporters, Patwari said, "If drainage water mixes with drinking water pipelines, people can suffer from vomiting, diarrhoea and jaundice, but they do not die from it. It appears that some kind of poisonous substance had mixed into the drinking water pipeline and this needs to be investigated." Holding the mayor and the municipal commissioner responsible for the incident, he said a culpable homicide case should be registered against both of them.

Targeting the ruling BJP, he said the party has been in power in the Indore Municipal Corporation as well as at the state and the Centre. "It is a matter of concern for the people of Indore what condition the city has come to under the BJP's triple-engine government," he said.

BJP hits back

However, state BJP spokesperson Alok Dubey condemned Patwari's statement, saying he was being insensitive and engaging in "deliberate politics" over an unfortunate incident.

Angry residents of Bhagirathpura alleged that they and their family members fell ill after consuming contaminated Narmada river water supplied to homes through municipal tap connections. They claimed the civic body ignored repeated complaints about foul water supply.

Local councillor Kamal Baghela said residents complained that the water supplied on Thursday (December 25) had an unusual smell. "People may have fallen ill after consuming this water. Only laboratory reports will reveal how the water got contaminated," he said.

What the victims said

Baghela said Nandlal Pal (80), who was admitted to a private hospital after suffering from diarrhoea, died during treatment.

Pal's son Siddharth said his father was hospitalised on December 28 due to vomiting and diarrhoea, allegedly as a result of contaminated water.

"My father died on Tuesday morning," he said.

Bhagirathpura resident Jitendra Prajapat said his elder sister Seema Prajapat (50) died on Monday after suffering from diarrhoea allegedly caused by contaminated water.

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"My sister suddenly started suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea, and we did not even get a chance to manage the situation. She died on the way to the hospital," he said.

Prajapat said the water supplied in the area over the past few days tasted "bitter" while drinking, raising suspicion that excess water purification chemicals may have altered its taste.

Another resident, Chandrakala Yadav, said her mother-in-law, Urmila Yadav (70) developed diarrhoea on December 27 after allegedly drinking contaminated water and died during treatment on December 28.

(With agency inputs)