Indore tragedy: Lab report confirms bacterial 'contamination' in drinking water behind 4 diarrhoea deaths

INDORE: Laboratory tests have confirmed that the diarrhoea outbreak in Indore, which has so far claimed at least four lives and sickened more than 1,400 people, was caused by contaminated drinking water, officials said.

Indore’s Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Madhav Prasad Hasani said a report prepared by a city-based medical college found that water samples collected from Bhagirathpura were contaminated due to a leak in a main supply pipeline. The area has emerged as the epicentre of the outbreak.




District collector Shivam Verma said the initial laboratory report confirmed contamination in the water samples, though officials were yet to identify the specific bacteria responsible.

State minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said preliminary indications suggested that sewage water had mixed with the drinking water supply near a police check post. “We are already treating the water. A detailed microbiological examination will take eight to ten days,” he said.

Residents of Bhagirathpura began reporting to hospitals across the city from Monday onwards, complaining of vomiting, diarrhoea and high fever. Officials said the contamination occurred after sewage water from a toilet constructed at a local police check post seeped into the drinking water line.

Additional chief secretary Sanjay Dubey, who oversees the urban development department, said nine deaths had been reported from the area so far. “Based on post-mortem findings, only four deaths can currently be linked directly to contaminated water,” he said.

Dubey held meetings with senior officials in Indore to review the situation and finalise relief measures. “Guidelines have been worked out to ensure funds are made available and treatment costs for patients are covered,” he said. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of those who died.

Health department officials said door-to-door surveys were conducted in 1,714 households on Thursday, during which 8,571 people were examined. Of these, 338 individuals with mild symptoms were provided treatment at their homes.

Bhagirathpura, meanwhile, remains largely deserted. With more than 200 residents admitted to 27 hospitals across Indore, most families have been away attending to sick relatives. Since the outbreak began earlier this week, nine people have died.

Municipal officials said the crisis was triggered when waste water from a pit connected to a toilet at the police outpost leaked into the main water pipeline running beneath it. The contractor allegedly routed the toilet’s waste into a pit instead of constructing a septic tank and linking it to the sewage network.

Officials said a leak was detected in the main water pipeline near the police outpost, leading to contamination of the supply in surrounding areas. “We are examining the entire pipeline to check for additional leaks,” Dubey said.

After repairs and inspection, clean water was restored through the pipeline on Thursday. However, residents have been advised to boil water before consumption as a precaution. Fresh samples have also been sent for testing.

The state government is now planning to issue a standard operating procedure for drinking water infrastructure across Madhya Pradesh to prevent similar incidents in the future.

According to officials, 272 patients have been admitted to hospitals since the outbreak began eight days ago. Of them, 71 have been discharged. At present, 201 patients remain hospitalised, including 32 in intensive care units.



(With agency inputs)