90 diarrhoea cases at Desu Majra, water supply 'contaminated'

Mohali, July 30

As many as 90 cases of diarrhoea have been reported from Desumajra in Kharar in the past two days. Residents said the tap water being supplied by the Municipal Council was visibly dirty and emanating foul smell.

The district administration has cut the drinking water supply and stationed tankers at several places to provide relief to the residents.

Health officials today held a medical camp and gave medicines to the ailing patients. A majority of them have complained of vomiting, loose motions and weakness for the past two-three days.

Officials today took water samples from tubewells and sent them for testing.

Mohali Civil Surgeon Adarshpal Kaur said, “Medical camps are being held at various places for the past two days. The administration has been informed and the relief work has begun.”

Medical camps would continue for the next two-three days and more water samples would be collected, the Civil Surgeon said. Residents said MC officials were scanning the lines for the source of contamination. “Old, worn-out pipes, leakage and illegal connections are suspected to have led to the outbreak,” said Baljit Singh, a resident of Desu Majra.

Most housing societies in the Kharar area were waterlogged during rains in the past one month. “The administration, the local MLA and councillors were apprised of the situation beforehand, but no remedial measures were taken. Water supply leakage and contamination spots should have been identified before the onset of monsoon,” said Baljit Singh.

Ranjit Colony, Shivalik City, Mundi Kharar and Garden Colony were the worst-affected areas where residents complained of diarrhoea-like symptoms.