Vijayanagar (Karnataka): The death toll from allegedly drinking contaminated water at Makarabbi village of Huvinahadagali taluk in Vijayanagara district has risen to six.
More than 150 people of Makarabbi village fell ill and admitted to hospital September 23 after allegedly drinking contaminated water. Neelappa, a 60-year old woman, died September 27 after drinking the water. Lakkamma, 50, died October 1. Basamma, who was undergoing treatment, died October 3. And now, Kenchamma, Goneppa and Mahadevappa, who were admitted with diarrhoea and vomiting, have also died while being treated. Many other people are being treated at hospitals in Bellari, Hosapete, Hubbali and Haveri.
With panic spreading across Makarabbi village, some of the villagers have migrated to other nearby villages. Locals said that some people even sold their livestock to undergo medical treatment.
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Taluk Health Inspector Dr Vinod said that nine cases of vomiting and loose motion were first reported August 26. All nine people were admitted to a nearby hospital. They responded to the treatment and recovered. A team of officers visited the village and collected three samples of water. On September 23 again, cases of vomiting and loose motion were reported. The district administration opened a temporary hospital at the village and two ambulances were stationed to shift the patients in case of emergency. Now, supply of borewell water has been stopped and tanker water is being supplied to the village, he said.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government Tuesday announced an ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh to the families of those who died and also ordered an inquiry into the deaths.
"Our government has taken seriously people dying and falling ill after drinking the contaminated water," Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai told reporters. "I have already said that an inquiry led by IAS officer Munish Moudgil will be conducted. He has to submit the report in a week."
Bommai added that those responsible for sewage water getting mixed with tap water, be it local officers or engineers, will face action.
