Indore Contaminated Water Toll Rises: Over 10 Dead

Jan 2, 2025 - At least 10 deaths have been reported and more than 2,800 fallen ill following a major water-contamination incident in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area of Madhya Pradesh. As per reports, 272 people are in hospital receiving treatment even while unconfirmed reports place the death toll at 14 over the past 10 days.

Residents allege prolonged civic negligence, claiming the water contamination issue has been there for months now and all complaints have fallen on deaf ears. It, however, first came to light in the third week of December when cases of vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration were reported and more and more people started turning up at the hospital with these symptoms. In the second week of December residents of Bhagirathpura had complained to the civic authorities about foul smelling and discoloured tap water. No correction measures were then allegedly taken but the administration sprung into action after the first deaths were reported on December 29, as per media reports.

Finally, laboratory tests of water samples were carried out which confirmed bacterial contamination in the drinking water supply. Because of pipe leakages, the municipal water had mixed with sewage water leading to widespread contamination.

According to a statement by Indore District Collector Shivam Verma and Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Madhav Hassani, “The primary test reports of the water samples collected from the Bhagirathpura locality over the last three days have been submitted by MGM Medical College. These reports confirm contamination of the drinking water. We are now awaiting detailed reports, particularly culture reports, which will help identify the actual pathogens that triggered the diarrhoeal outbreak.”

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary, seeking a detailed report within two weeks. A day earlier, the Madhya Pradesh High Court sought a status report within 48 hours and reportedly directed the Stage Government to provide free treatment to the affected. The Court was hearing a PIL filed by Indore High Court Bar Association chief Ritesh Inani seeking supply of safe drinking water to Indore residents.

With Media Inputs

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