At least nine people have died and more than 200 were hospitalised this week after consuming contaminated water in Indore. The incident took place earlier this week in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore. The state administration had subsequently initiated emergency measures and dispatched survey teams to the region.
What did the lab find?
“The report of the samples sent four days ago showed contamination. The contamination, which indicates the presence of bacteria, was found in 26 out of 50 samples. Primarily, we have resolved the problem which was reported near the police outpost and sealed the leakage there on priority basis. We have also dismantled the toilet built there. We have resolved the leakage. We have collected samples of the water today as well for testing and water supply will continue after its report arrives,” ANI quoted Additional Commissioner Rohit Sisoniya as saying.
The confirmation came a day after Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said “sewer leakages lead to such incidents” without going into details. He had also assured during a conversation with reporters that the BJP-led government would “ensure such negligence is avoided in the future”.
Months of inaction
The first signs of trouble came two months ago after a local noticed there was something wrong with the well water near a temple. According to an Indian Express report, he had complained Mayoral helpline number in mid-October — explaining that borewell water was mixing with drain water in Bhagirathpura.
“There is acid in the dirty water,” another resident complained a month later.
Indian Express reported that the complaints had continued throughout December and turned increasingly desperate as the days wet by. Residents reported a “foul stench” in the Narmada water supply on December 18. Locals told the publication that “90% of Ward 11 was falling ill” ten days later — facing severe vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration. The administration finally took note of the matter after the first death occurred on December 29.