TUMAKURU, 13 JUNE

Around six people have died after drinking contaminated water at Chinnenahalli village in Madhugiri taluk of Tumakuru district, Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Thursday after visiting the patients at District Hospital.

Chikkadasappa, 76, and Peddanna, 72, who died at a hospital here on Wednesday, were among the 100-odd people, who fell ill on 10 June, after drinking water supplied from an overhead tank and a drinking-water unit during a village fair, according to officials. In addition, three-year-old Meenakshi, who had been admitted to a private hospital in Madhugiri, also lost her life. These deaths follow the passing of Hanumakka, 85, on 10 June, as well as Nagappa, 85, and Nagamma, 90, on 11 June.

"A temple fair was organised at Chinnenahalli, and there are reports that due to consumption of contaminated water, over a hundred people suffered from vomiting and loose motion. Some of them admitted themselves to private hospitals in Madhugiri, Koratagere and Tumakuru," he said.

On reports that more people, including a three-year-old girl, have died at a private hospital, he sought to know the details from officials and said: "We will gather information about deaths in the private hospital and try to find out about overall deaths due to this incident."

He said the village Panchayat Development Officer, V Muniraju, and waterman, S Nagaraju, have been suspended as they did not take the precautionary measures. “As per the inquiry done, water connection work was on, and due to damages in the water pipes caused by a JCB (construction equipment), contaminated water got mixed," he said.

More people are still undergoing treatment at the hospital, including children, Parameshwara said.

4 die due to water contamination in Chikkaballapur

Meanwhile, Veerapally village located at Chintamani taluk of Chikkaballapur district also faced a similar crisis related to contaminated water supply with four dying in the past 15 days. The deceased are Gangamma, 70, Muninagamma, 70, Lakshmamma, 70, and Narasimhappa, 75. Two people remain hospitalised after consuming suspected contaminated water.

Health Department officials have established a temporary hospital in the village and are conducting door-to-door health checks among residents. —Salar News