Contaminated water confirmed behind Indore vomiting and diarrhoea outbreak; 9 dead, over 1,400 taken ill
PTC Web Desk: A laboratory investigation has confirmed that contaminated drinking water was responsible for a severe vomiting and diarrhoea outbreak in Indore, Madhya Pradesh’s commercial capital, claiming at least nine lives and affecting more than 1,400 people, officials said on Thursday.
The outbreak originated in the Bhagirathpura area, raising serious concerns over water safety in a city that has consistently been ranked India’s cleanest for the past eight years.
Leakage in pipeline led to contamination
Indore’s Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO), Dr Madhav Prasad Hasani, said laboratory tests conducted by a city-based medical college confirmed contamination caused by a leak in the drinking water pipeline. The leakage was found near a police outpost at a location where a toilet had reportedly been constructed over the main supply line.
Officials believe the breach allowed sewage to mix with the drinking water distributed to households in the area. However, detailed findings of the laboratory report were not made public.
Authorities inspect entire water network
Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Dubey said the entire water supply pipeline in Bhagirathpura is being examined to rule out further leakages. He added that clean water supply was restored on Thursday after inspections, though residents have been advised to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure.
Dubey also stated that fresh water samples have been collected and sent for testing. He said the incident would lead to the formulation of a statewide Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
NHRC takes cognisance
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government following reports of multiple deaths. The rights body observed that residents had allegedly complained about contaminated water supply for several days, but corrective action was delayed.
CM calls it emergency-like situation
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described the outbreak as an “emergency-like situation” and assured strict action against those found responsible. He visited hospitals in Indore to check on patients and later chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the response and containment measures.
According to the health department, a door-to-door survey of 1,714 households was conducted on Thursday, covering 8,571 people. Of these, 338 individuals with mild symptoms were treated at home.
Since the outbreak began eight days ago: 272 patients have been hospitalised, 71 patients have been discharged, 201 patients remain admitted and 32 patients are currently in ICUs.
A family’s loss highlights human cost
Beyond statistics, the outbreak has left families shattered. In a narrow lane of Bhagirathpura, silence hangs heavy in the home of Sunil Sahu, whose five-and-a-half-month-old son Avyaan died after developing fever and diarrhoea.
Born after 10 years of waiting, Avyaan was fed packaged milk mixed with tap water on medical advice, as his mother was unable to breastfeed. The family says they trusted the Narmada water supply and were never warned about contamination.
Avyaan’s condition worsened rapidly despite medication, and he died on the way to hospital. His family believes polluted water was the cause.
Inside the house, grief is palpable. Avyaan’s mother remains weak and disoriented, while his 10-year-old sister sits quietly, unable to comprehend the loss. The grandmother, holding back tears, says the family has neither the means nor the strength to accuse anyone.
City’s ‘clean image’ under scrutiny
The tragedy has sparked widespread anger, as Indore’s image as India’s cleanest city clashes sharply with allegations of administrative delay and failure to issue timely warnings. Residents say no advisory was issued even as people continued consuming the same water.
- With inputs from agencies
