Diarrhoea Outbreak in Indore Linked to Contaminated Water Supply

A serious health crisis has emerged in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, where a diarrhoea outbreak linked to contaminated drinking water has resulted in numerous hospitalizations and fatalities. Health officials have reported over 1,400 cases of illness, prompting urgent screenings and investigations. The local government has taken action, including suspending officials and providing compensation to affected families. This situation has sparked protests and criticism of the ruling party's handling of the crisis. For a comprehensive overview of the events and responses, read the full article.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 5, 2026, 08:50 IST

Health Crisis in Indore

On Sunday, health officials in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, identified twenty new diarrhoea cases associated with tainted drinking water during a screening of over 9,000 individuals. The screening took place in Bhagirathpura, the epicenter of the outbreak.

Health teams assessed 9,416 individuals from 2,354 households in the affected area. Currently, 142 people are hospitalized, with 11 requiring intensive care.

Previously, more than 1,400 individuals reported symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration, with the first cases emerging on December 24. Residents had previously complained about the water's unusual odor.

Indore's Mayor, Pushyamitra Bhargava, indicated on Friday that he had received reports of 10 fatalities linked to the contaminated water. However, local residents assert that the death toll is higher, claiming 14 deaths, including that of an infant.

Chief Medical and Health Officer Madhav Prasad Hasani confirmed that laboratory tests from a local medical college indicated contamination in the drinking water due to a leak in the pipeline.

Authorities noted that a leak was discovered in the main water supply line, which was situated beneath a toilet, potentially leading to the contamination.

On Friday, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav conducted a review meeting and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased. Additionally, the Madhya Pradesh government dismissed Indore's municipal commissioner and suspended two officials in connection with the incident.

Official Actions Following Protests

In a related development, Ujjain division Revenue Commissioner Ashish Singh suspended a sub-divisional magistrate for negligence and irregularities in official duties. This decision followed a Congress protest in Dewas, where the SDM had ordered subordinate revenue officers to maintain order.

It was reported that a section of the Congress memorandum submitted during the protest was copied directly into the official order, which was deemed a serious oversight.

The Congress memorandum criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government, highlighting a controversial remark made by Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya. He had used the term “ghanta” during a media interaction regarding the water crisis, which is commonly interpreted as “nonsense.”