Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh – A serious public health crisis in Indore has prompted a high-level scientific investigation, as authorities grapple with the aftermath of a deadly water contamination outbreak in the city’s Bhagirathpura area. On Sunday, a team of scientists from the National Institute of Bacteriology (NIB), Kolkata, began a detailed probe by collecting water and stool samples from residents who fell ill after consuming contaminated tap water. The outbreak, which began over a week ago, has already claimed at least 10 lives and hospitalized more than 210 individuals, with multiple patients requiring intensive care.

The crisis first emerged on December 25, when residents of Bhagirathpura, a densely populated neighborhood in Indore, began reporting severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Initial complaints described foul-smelling and discolored water, but months of resident grievances appeared to have gone largely unaddressed, exacerbating the situation. By the end of last week, laboratory analysis of water samples confirmed the presence of a “cocktail” of deadly pathogens, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, and Vibrio cholerae bacteria. In addition to these bacteria, the samples contained viruses, fungi, and protozoa, resulting in polymicrobial infections that led to multi-organ failure and sepsis among affected patients, health officials said.

“This is one of the most severe cases of waterborne infection in recent memory,” a senior health officer familiar with the investigation told reporters on Sunday. “The polymicrobial nature of the contamination—multiple microbes in a single water supply—has complicated treatment and significantly increased the fatality risk.”

In response to the severity of the outbreak, the Madhya Pradesh health department called in a team from the National Institute of Bacteriology to conduct a comprehensive investigation. The scientists are tasked not only with identifying the bacterial and viral agents responsible for the outbreak but also with analyzing stool samples from patients to confirm the pathogens and understand their role in the ongoing health crisis. Early indications suggest that the combination of harmful microbes contributed to rapid deterioration in some patients, including the development of sepsis and multi-organ failure.

Amid the outbreak, medical teams detected a case of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in a woman who had been hospitalized with diarrhoea. GBS, a rare neurological disorder that can cause muscle weakness and paralysis, is sometimes linked to infections with Campylobacter jejuni bacteria. While the presence of this bacterium has not yet been confirmed, authorities are investigating its potential role as part of the broader bacterial contamination.

National Health Mission managing director Saloni Sidana visited hospitals in the affected area on Sunday to oversee medical response efforts, and divisional commissioner Sudam Khade assured families that the government would provide compensation following expert review. “The family members are being given a fair chance to establish the cause of death of their kin,” Khade said. “The expert panel will approve the names for compensation.”

Khade also confirmed that preliminary laboratory testing of 26 water samples collected from Bhagirathpura revealed polymicrobial contamination. “The culture reports confirmed the presence of E. coli, Salmonella, and Vibrio cholerae,” he said, reiterating that multi-organ failure and sepsis resulting from these infections were the primary causes of death among affected residents.

In an effort to contain the outbreak, authorities have shifted patients admitted to intensive care units in various hospitals to Bombay Hospital, where specialized care is available. Additionally, an extensive on-ground investigation is underway, with eight additional commissioners and 32 deputy engineers assigned to identify leakages and collect water samples from 14 lanes within Bhagirathpura.

Indore collector Shivam Verma visited the neighborhood on Sunday morning and convened a review meeting with senior officials from all urban local bodies and Janpad Panchayats in the district. He instructed officials to implement urgent measures for water safety, including regular chlorination, sampling, and testing of all water sources—including borewells, handpumps, wells, and overhead tanks. Verma emphasized that pipelines must be repaired promptly, water sources cleaned thoroughly, and uninterrupted water supply restored within seven days under a “mission mode” operation.

Encouraging signs of improvement emerged later on Sunday, when water samples from Bhagirathpura tested negative for harmful bacteria and viruses. Urban development minister Kailash Vijayvargiya confirmed that recent chlorination and sanitation efforts had successfully eliminated pathogens from the drinking water supply. “Tests conducted at Shri Aurobindo Hospital using state-of-the-art Multiplex RT-PCR machines revealed that the quality of drinking water has improved, and harmful bacteria and viruses have been completely eliminated,” Vijayvargiya said.

In response to the crisis, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav held a virtual meeting with the mayors and commissioners of all 16 municipal corporations in Madhya Pradesh, instructing them to implement time-bound programs aimed at improving water supply systems across the state. Officials were asked to ensure ongoing monitoring and preventive measures to avoid future outbreaks.

Despite these measures, the outbreak has triggered widespread public outrage and protests by opposition political parties. Congress leaders held demonstrations in several districts on Sunday, criticizing the state government for failing to respond to months of complaints about water quality in Bhagirathpura and other vulnerable areas. Residents have voiced frustration over the slow response to long-standing water supply issues and the apparent neglect of safety measures, which they say contributed to the scale of the outbreak.

The crisis in Bhagirathpura has underscored the vulnerabilities in urban water supply systems in India, particularly in densely populated areas where aging infrastructure and poor maintenance can create conditions conducive to microbial contamination. Public health experts have emphasized the importance of preventive measures, including regular water quality monitoring, pipeline maintenance, chlorination, and swift response to complaints.

As the National Institute of Bacteriology team continues its investigations, authorities are expected to issue detailed reports identifying the full spectrum of microbial pathogens responsible for the outbreak and recommending long-term strategies to prevent recurrence. Meanwhile, medical teams are providing intensive care to patients, and local authorities are working to restore residents’ confidence in the safety of their drinking water supply.

The Bhagirathpura water contamination crisis has also highlighted the interconnectedness of public health and urban governance. Officials stress that ensuring access to safe drinking water requires coordination among municipal authorities, public health departments, and water supply engineers. Immediate action to repair pipelines, clean water sources, and chlorinate supplies is essential to prevent future outbreaks, particularly in high-density urban areas.

In conclusion, the ongoing investigation led by the National Institute of Bacteriology represents a critical step in addressing one of the most serious waterborne disease outbreaks in recent memory in Indore. While initial test results suggest that remedial measures have begun to restore water quality, officials and scientists continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further casualties. The collaboration between health authorities, urban development officials, and expert scientific teams aims to not only identify the pathogens responsible but also establish long-term safeguards for the residents of Bhagirathpura and other vulnerable neighborhoods in Madhya Pradesh.