3 Dead, Over 100 Ill in Indore Water Contamination

At least three people have died and more than 100 others have fallen ill due to suspected contaminated drinking water in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, with local officials confirming the outbreak began late last month.

Health department officials identified the deceased as Nandlal Pal, 75, Urmila Yadav, 60, and Tara Kori, 65, all of whom succumbed to diarrhea-related complications. Pal was admitted to a nursing home on December 28 with vomiting and diarrhea before dying of cardiac arrest on Tuesday. Officials reported that 32 people were initially admitted to hospitals, though Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava stated on Wednesday that 116 individuals were receiving treatment across city facilities, with 36 already discharged. Residents have reported nearly 150 cases of vomiting and diarrhea over the past week, attributing the illnesses to the local water supply.

The contamination appears to stem from a leakage in the main water supply pipeline in Bhagirathpura, where a toilet structure was built above the line, potentially allowing sewage to mix with drinking water, according to Municipal Commissioner Dilip Kumar Yadav. Authorities have collected 70 water...