Residents blame civic apathy for Zirakpur diarrhoea outbreak

Gaurav Kanthwal

Tribune News Service

Zirakpur, September 28

Following a diarrhoea outbreak in Zirakpur’s Nabha village, the administration and Health Department have swung into action to assess the situation and safeguard residents. The action comes after residents flagged lack of action from authorities despite repeated complaints about contamination in water supply.

More than 55 patients have complained of diarrhoea-like symptoms in the village in past two days.

Sharing details, Epidemiologist (water-borne diseases) Dr Harman Brar today informed that the outbreak was under control. He said only seven mild cases were reported today. “Medical teams are on alert and are continuously monitoring the situation,” Brar added.

Dera Bassi Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Amit Gupta today visited the affected areas and issues directions to the officials concerned to ensure the protocol and standard operating procedure (SOP) was being followed.

After noticing contamination in the drinking water supply and foul smell, residents had reached out to the Zirakpur Municipal Council officials. However, the complained that no action was taken despite their complaints.

“Foul-smelling dirty water was being supplied for many days. The situation arose after digging work began to lay pipelines in the village and lingered on for last the two-and-a-half months. All our pleas were ignored,” they said.

Notably, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Komal Mittal today said the suspected source of contamination was traced to a leakage in the water supply pipeline, which has now been plugged.

“Around 300 household connections are being thoroughly checked. To ensure safe drinking water, eight tankers were pressed into service, collectively making about 40 supply rounds in the area,” she added

Administration officials said residents must not use tap water until test results of collected water samples are cleared. Samples have been taken from the source as well as from individual connections. For a long-term solution, a new pipeline is being laid and will become operational within the next two weeks.

The Health Department has established medical camps, conducted house-to-house surveys, and distributed chlorine tablets along with instructions for their use. Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) pouches have also been provided to families to prevent dehydration.