CM Siddaramaiah directs immediate measures after 3-year-old dies, 30 ill after drinking contaminated water

Taking serious note of the reports, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah asked officials to investigate the incident and submit a report.

BySouth First Desk

Published May 28, 2023 | 5:53 PMUpdatedMay 28, 2023 | 5:55 PM

Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah. (Supplied)

A three-year-old boy died, and about 30 people fell ill due to the alleged consumption of contaminated water on Wednesday, 24 May, in the Raichur district of Karnataka. The deceased has been identified as Hanumanth.

Following this, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday, 28 May, instructed officials to take immediate measures to address the situation.

The measures are expected to include ensuring proper treatment to those hospitalised and providing compensation to the family of the deceased child.

Background

As people complained about suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting, some were shifted to the Arakera Community Health Centre in Devadurga and the Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).

The three-year-old victim was treated at a community health centre (CHC) in the village on Wednesday, 24 May. After undergoing treatment, he was sent home.

The toddler’s condition deteriorated early in the morning on Thursday, 25 May. He was soon rushed to the Raichur Institute of Medical Science (RIMS).

However, the toddler succumbed after he failed to respond to the treatment at RIMS, claimed doctors.

Related: 3-year-old dies after consuming contaminated water in Raichur

‘Gram Panchayat’s mistake’

The residents of Rekalmardi alleged that even after they reported the damage to the drinking water pipeline more than a week ago, the Gram Panchayat staff didn’t fix the pipe, and this led to the supply of contaminated water to the village for the last week.

On the outskirts of the village, a drinking water pipeline passing through a canal, where the water for agricultural purposes is supplied, was damaged.

The stagnant water in the canal, which is polluted, mixed with the drinking water in the pipeline, and this contaminated water was being supplied to the village, alleged the villagers.

Rekalmardi is located 27 km from Taluka headquarters in Devadurga. Around 470 people live in this village.

CM’s orders

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, after receiving information about the incident.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah spoke to the Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) over the phone and directed him to take immediate action to supply clean drinking water.

The chief minister instructed officials to take immediate measures for proper treatment of the people who fell ill.

He also directed the CEO to provide compensation to the family of the deceased.

Taking serious note of the reports of people getting sick after drinking contaminated water in the villages, Siddaramaiah asked officials to investigate the incident and submit a report.

Some of the instructions given by the chief minister to officials are: to immediately visit the place and conduct a comprehensive inspection, send the water samples to the lab, and get a report right away.

Based on the report, conduct a thorough health checkup of the villagers and provide necessary treatment.

Clean drinking water should be provided, contaminated water sources should be closed. Compensation should be given to the family of the deceased.

All measures should be taken adequately to ensure that the incident does not recur, the chief minister told officials.

Also read: Global study finds antibiotic resistance in rural Karnataka

MLA reacts 

Stating that action would be taken against the officials, Devadurga MLA Karemma G Nayak told South First: “It is not just in Rekalmardi. Water purifier plants are defunct in many villages. We will take action against the officials that are responsible for the incident.”

He added: “This incident should not have occurred. I have spoken to the victim’s family and ensured them of provided compensation as per the norms of the government. This is one of the serious issues in the taluka, I will make efforts to address it at the earliest.”

(With PTI inputs)