4 dead, two dozen ill due to contaminated water in Chittorgarh

UDAIPUR: Four persons including a 10-year-old have died while some 25 people have fallen sick reportedly after drinking polluted water from a hand pump in Naya Kheda village of Kewalpura gram panchayat in Chittorgarh district.

The deaths have taken place in the past three days and the villagers claim it had been due to the consumption of the water from hand pump that had been recently repaired. The medical team has swung into action after the deaths were reported in a row, medical teams visited the village on Sunday and have taken blood samples of people complaining colic pain, diarrhea and vomiting.

Some people were referred to be admitted in the hospital, sources said. “The medical team has also taken sample of the water from the hand pump which has been sent to the lab for examination. Prima facie contaminated water is seen as the cause of ailments, however, the actual reason for deaths can only be ascertained after the report comes,” chief medical and health officer Indrajeet Singh said. Villagers have been warned against consuming water from the said hand pump.

The incident came to light reportedly, after ex-MLA Prakash Chowdhary went to his ancestral home in Kewalpura. Villagers informed him that on Friday a 10-year-old girl died of vomiting and diarrhea while two men Umkar and Banshilal Meena too died in nearby settlement. A 70-yearold woman Gendi wife of Limba Meena too died on Saturday. Chowdhary reported the matter to the CMHO who sent medical teams to investigate the matter. To prevent dehydration ORS packets have been distributed in the village.