Water contamination in village leaves 20 ill

VIJAYANAGARA

Over 20 residents took ill in Manyaramasalwada village after drinking contaminated water during the past two days. On Sunday and Monday, diarrhea cases came to light in specific village areas. A total of 13 residents from Vaddarageri and seven from Kurubarageri were hospitalised due to vomiting and diarrhoea at various facilities, including a private nursing home, hospitals in Harapanahalli and Davanagere, and the local Primary Health Centre. The village's water supply relies on five tube wells, with one at ground level. A faulty valve allowed rainwater and sewage to enter the tube well, contaminating the village water supply. Officials discovered contaminated water in the Vaddarageri and Kurubarageri pipelines and suspended water supply to these areas. Villagers attribute the surge in cases of vomiting and diarrhea to a contaminated water supply. The gram panchayat has been negligent in maintaining drinking water and sanitation, they alleged. Manyaramasalwada village PDO Mohammad Rafi responded by stating they disconnected the contaminated tube well connection.

He added that they are promoting awareness about using only the clean drinking water unit and have undertaken sanitation maintenance work. AEE Ambedkar Sanagunda from the rural drinking water and sanitation department stated, Water samples have been collected and sent to the laboratory for testing, and the report will be available after 48 hours. Only then will the exact cause of the incident be known. Following the incident, Huvinahadagali Tahsildar G Santosh Kumar visited and instructed GP officials to implement preventive measures.

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Taluk Health Officer Dr Sapna Katti and Dr Karthik from the primary health centre stated, three of those who were treated have recovered. We have instructed the gram panchayat officials to take action for repairs and cleanliness. Manyaramasalwada village, with 3,000 residents, has just one RO water unit.