24 more cases reported from Chhoti Jawaddi

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 22

Twentyfour cases of diarrhoea were reported from Chhoti Jawaddi on Sunday after the residents complained of contaminated water supply in the area. Of these, 22 cases are of mild diarrhoea, while two patients with severe diarrhoea symptoms have been referred to the Civil Hospital.

Following the death of a 16-year-old boy due to “diarrhoea” in the area on Friday, a total of 49 diarrhoea cases have been reported in the last three days. The deceased was identified as Sudhir. He used to stay at a rented accommodation in the area with his parents and siblings. Sudhir’s elder sister Sudha, who is also said to be suffering from diarrhoea, is under treatment at a private hospital.

Area residents have blamed the Municipal Corporation for allegedly ignoring their complaints of contaminated water supply. Deceased’s father Kishan Kumar, who is a labourer, said: “We were getting contaminated water for the past few days. My elder daughter and son fell ill. My daughter has also been admitted to a hospital. She is unaware of the fact that her brother is no more now.”

Mani, another resident, said: “Residents had complained to the MC about choked sewers and contaminated water supply in the area. MC workers visited the area and made an attempt to clear the choked sewers. However, no efforts were made to find out the actual fault behind the contaminated water supply.”

“We have been getting contaminated water supply in the morning for more than a week now. It seems there is a leakage in the water supply pipe. Now, the water is being supplied through water tankers. We have stopped consuming the tap water, which is supplied via water pipes by the MC,” said another resident.

District Epidemiologist Dr Ramesh Kumar said: “As the residents had complained about contaminated water supply, we had earlier taken four samples of water. Six more samples were collected today.”

District Epidemiologist Dr Divjot Singh said as many as 49 diarrhoea cases have been reported so far. “Twentyfour cases were reported on Sunday. Of them, 22 patients with mild diarrhoea symptoms visited the medical camp. Besides, two patients with severe diarhhoea symptoms also visited the camp, but they were referred to the Civil Hospital,” he said. 

Replace sewer pipes, says Residents 

Ajit Singh, a resident, said: “The sewer pipes in the area are small in size, due to which the sewer pipes generally remain choked here. The civic body should take necessary efforts to install large sewer pipes.” MC Superintending Engineer Ravinder Garg said: “The MC team have inspected the area. They reported that the water being supplied by the MC is safe, as no fault was found. If residents complained about contaminated water supply, we will send a team again.” A diarrhoea outbreak earlier occurred at Jawaddi, which is located near Chhoti Jawaddi.