Tragic Outbreak in Indore: 13 Lives Lost Due to Contaminated Water

A severe health crisis in Indore has emerged due to contaminated drinking water, leading to the tragic loss of 13 lives, including a six-month-old infant. In response, the Madhya Pradesh government has suspended municipal officials and is conducting health assessments for thousands of residents. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has labeled the situation as an emergency and is committed to ensuring accountability for those responsible. As investigations continue, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of this preventable tragedy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 1, 2026, 12:02 IST

Contaminated Water Crisis in Indore

Sources revealed on Thursday that the Madhya Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has suspended two municipal officials and terminated another following the outbreak of illness caused by contaminated drinking water in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore, which has resulted in 13 fatalities. Among the deceased are a six-month-old infant and six women. A resident of Indore reported that his six-month-old son died two days prior due to the outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea linked to tainted drinking water.

Local residents claim that in just one week, 13 individuals have succumbed to illness after consuming contaminated water, including the infant and six women.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav characterized the outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea in Bhagirathpura as an 'emergency situation' and stated on Wednesday that strict actions would be taken against those responsible. He visited various hospitals in the city to check on patients suffering from these symptoms. Following his visits, he convened a high-level meeting to assess the situation arising from the contaminated water incident. After the meeting, he informed reporters that he had been made aware of four deaths linked to the contaminated water crisis.

Government Response and Actions Taken

The Chief Minister emphasized that the outbreak caused by the consumption of contaminated water in Bhagirathpura was akin to an emergency, but due to coordinated efforts by the government, many patients received timely treatment, leading to improvements in their conditions. He stated, 'The state government will not tolerate any negligence. We are prepared to take stringent actions against those responsible for this incident. I have instructed officials to thoroughly investigate complaints regarding leaks in drinking water and sewer lines across all areas of the city to prevent such occurrences in the future.'

An administrative official reported that following the Chief Minister's directives, a zonal officer and an assistant engineer from the municipal corporation were suspended immediately, and the services of a supervising sub-engineer were terminated. Yadav noted, 'Based on initial investigations, actions have been taken against certain municipal officials. Further steps will be determined based on a detailed investigation report.'

Health Assessments and Ongoing Investigations

The Chief Minister also announced that new appointments would be made to address the shortage of staff within the municipal corporation. He mentioned that health assessments have been conducted for approximately 40,000 residents in Bhagirathpura, identifying 2,456 suspected cases of vomiting and diarrhea. Following the outbreak, 212 patients were hospitalized, with 50 already discharged due to recovery.

Currently, 162 patients remain hospitalized, and nearly all are reported to be in stable condition. Officials indicated that a leak was discovered in the main water supply pipeline in Bhagirathpura, located beneath a toilet, which likely contributed to the contamination of the drinking water. To investigate the incident further, a three-member committee has been formed, led by an officer from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).