Indore: An eerie quiet has settled over the lanes of Bhagirathpura in Indore, where streets remain largely deserted except for a handful of individuals at temporary medical camps. Since Monday night, when residents began suffering from vomiting and high fever leading to diarrhea, more than 200 people from the area have been hospitalized across 27 facilities in the city. Nine individuals have succumbed to the illness so far.
The crisis originated when wastewater from a toilet at a local police check post leaked into the main drinking water supply line. According to Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) officials, the contractor responsible had directed the toilet’s outflow into a pit positioned directly above the water pipeline, instead of building a proper septic tank connected to the sewage system.
As Madhya Pradesh government officials worked on Thursday to assign accountability, enhance medical care, and sanitize the water network, grief-stricken families tended to their loved ones. Sadhana Sahu, a private school teacher, sat weeping at her doorstep after losing her six-month-old son, Abhyan. “Abhyan was born 10 years after our daughter. My child is no more,” she said.
Abhyan’s father, Sunil Sahu, who works remotely for an internet company, recounted how the infant developed diarrhea and fever. They consulted a doctor on December 26 and brought him home with prescribed medication. Though he seemed better for the next two days, he suddenly spiked a high fever, vomited, and passed away at home on Monday without reaching a hospital.
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“The contaminated water caused his death. I had mixed water with his milk, and his health deteriorated,” Sadhana added.
Sounds of mourning echoed from several homes where deaths had occurred. In Bhagirathpura, a densely packed locality home to around 15,000 residents mostly from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, nearly every family has been affected, with one or more members ill.
“We earn little and barely manage to survive,” said Alguram Yadav from Borasi ki Gali. His 65-year-old wife, Urmila, died on Sunday, while his son Sanju, daughter-in-law Roshini, and 11-month-old grandson Shivam remain hospitalized with similar symptoms.
Yadav noted that while some administrative officials had visited to assess the situation, no substantial help had arrived yet, though state minister Kailash Vijayvargiya delivered a Rs 2 lakh compensation cheque announced by the Chief Minister on Wednesday.