More than 50 people have been hospitalised after allegedly consuming contaminated drinking water in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area, triggering panic among residents and prompting the Madhya Pradesh government to order an inquiry into the incident. While residents claim that at least three people have died due to water contamination, health authorities have said they have not received official confirmation of any deaths linked directly to the outbreak.

The incident came to light after a sudden surge in patients reporting symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and dehydration over the past few days. According to local residents, the problem began on Friday and rapidly escalated, affecting a large number of families in the densely populated locality.

Surge in Illness Raises Alarm

Residents of Bhagirathpura claimed that around 150 people have fallen ill since Friday after consuming water supplied to the area. Many of the affected individuals were rushed to government and private hospitals across Indore, where several were admitted for treatment, including intravenous fluids to manage dehydration.

Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Madhav Hasnani confirmed that hospitals had reported a significant number of patients from one particular area presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms. However, he said that no official information regarding deaths had been received from hospitals so far.

“We were informed about a large number of patients from a specific locality suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea,” Hasnani said. “As soon as we received the information, the health department swung into action and deployed a medical team in the affected area.”

Possible Causes Under Investigation

According to the CMHO, preliminary findings suggest that the outbreak may be linked to contamination in the local water supply. Initial investigations point to either recent excavation work in the ward and surrounding areas or possible contamination in an overhead water tank as potential causes.

“Based on the initial probe, it appears that the problem may have arisen due to excavation work in the area or contamination in the overhead tank,” Hasnani said, adding that water samples have been collected for testing.

Health department teams have been conducting door-to-door visits in Bhagirathpura to identify symptomatic individuals, provide immediate medical assistance, and raise awareness about precautionary measures. Chlorination and other disinfection measures are also being undertaken to prevent further spread of waterborne illness.

Residents Allege Deaths Due to Contaminated Water

Despite the administration’s assertion that no deaths have been officially reported, residents maintain that at least three people died after falling ill due to contaminated water.

One of the deceased, according to locals, was Nandlal Pal, a 75-year-old resident who was hospitalised on December 28 after his condition deteriorated. Doctors reportedly stated that Pal died due to cardiac arrest. However, his family insists that his illness was triggered by consuming contaminated water.

Another alleged victim is Manjula, aged 70, who residents say also died on Tuesday after developing similar symptoms. Families claim both elderly patients were healthy prior to the outbreak and fell ill only after consuming tap water supplied to the area.

Sanjay Yadav, another resident, said his mother, Urmila, died a day after she was hospitalised. “She fell sick on Friday after drinking water at home and was admitted to the hospital. She died the next day,” he said. “My son is also admitted and is receiving intravenous fluids. Doctors are treating him, but the entire family is terrified.”

Several families echoed similar concerns, alleging that contaminated water was the root cause of these deaths and demanding accountability from the authorities.

Government Responds, Orders Inquiry

In response to the growing concern and public outcry, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered an inquiry into the incident. He also directed officials to ensure that adequate medical facilities are provided to all affected residents and that there is no shortage of medicines, beds, or medical staff.

The chief minister’s office said that the situation is being closely monitored and that strict action will be taken if negligence is found at any level.

On Monday, state minister Kailash Vijayvargiya visited hospitals where affected residents were being treated. During his visit, he interacted with patients and their families and assured them that the state administration would bear the full cost of treatment for those hospitalised due to the outbreak.

“The government will ensure that no affected person faces financial hardship while undergoing treatment,” Vijayvargiya said, adding that officials have been instructed to act swiftly to contain the situation.

District Administration on Alert

Indore Collector Shivam Verma said that medical and administrative teams were dispatched immediately after complaints began surfacing. He said the district administration is maintaining constant coordination with hospitals and the health department.

“The situation is being continuously monitored,” Verma said. “The health department has been instructed to regularly review the treatment being provided to patients. A detailed investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the illness.”

The collector added that necessary preventive measures are being taken, including inspection of water pipelines, tanks, and supply points in the affected locality. Temporary arrangements for safe drinking water are also being explored to ensure residents are not exposed to further risk.

Ongoing Monitoring and Public Anxiety

As the investigation continues, anxiety remains high among residents of Bhagirathpura. Many families have stopped using tap water altogether and are relying on packaged drinking water or boiling water as a precautionary measure.

Health officials have advised residents to avoid drinking untreated water, maintain hygiene, and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea develop.

While authorities maintain that there is no confirmed link between the reported deaths and water contamination at this stage, residents are demanding transparency, speedy test results, and long-term measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

The coming days are expected to be crucial as water sample reports are awaited and the inquiry progresses. For now, the focus remains on treating the affected, containing the outbreak, and restoring confidence in the city’s water supply system.