Cleanest city, contaminated water: Lab test confirms diarrhoea outbreak in Indore

MAYOR SAYS 10 DEATHS; RESIDENTS CLAIM 14 | IAS OFFICER SUSPENDED, IMC CHEIF REMOVED

- SATYAPRAKASH SHARMA

A laboratory test has confirmed that a diarrhoea outbreak, which has killed at least four patients and affected over 2,400 people in Indore, was caused by contaminated drinking water, officials said.

‘The test findings substantiated that a life-threatening drinking water supply system prevails in parts of Madhya Pradesh’s commercial capital, which has been ranked India’s cleanest city for the last eight years.

Indore’s Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Madhav Prasad Hasani said that a laboratory report prepared by a city-based medical college confirmed drinking water was contaminated due to a leakage in a pipeline in the Bhagirathpura area, from where the outbreak has been reported. However, he did not share the detailed findings of the test report.

Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava on Friday said he has received information about 10 deaths due to a diarrhoea outbreak caused by contaminated water in the Bhagirathpura area of the city.

However, local residents have claimed that 14 individuals, including a six-month-old infant, have died due to the health crisis. The health department has not confirmed this claim. "According to health department data, four people have died due to the diarrhoea outbreak in Bhagirathpura. However, I have received information about 10 deaths due to this outbreak," Bhargava was quoted as having said.

To a question about suspected cholera spread in the area based on preliminary test reports of drinking water samples collected from Bhagirathpura, the mayor said only the health department could provide information on the matter.

Cracking the whip, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered disciplinary action against senior Indore Municipal Corporation officials, including the immediate transfer of an additional commissioner from the city.