More than 100 people in Nainital have been hospitalized with diarrhoea due to water contamination allegedly caused by broken pipelines. The contaminated water is believed to have been mixed with sewage, posing serious health risks to the locals.
According to Dr. MS Dugtal from BD Pandey hospital, the number of patients seeking treatment for diarrhoea has been steadily rising, with 60 to 70 people visiting the hospital’s OPD daily and 15 to 16 patients being admitted each day. Some severe cases have even been referred to Sushila Tiwari Hospital in Haldwani. People of all age groups have been affected by the outbreak, most likely due to fecal contamination. Despite the outbreak occurring last month, patients continue to seek medical attention, indicating that the water supply has not yet been fully rectified.
Anonymous health authorities have revealed that the chlorine concentration level in the water supplied to Nainital was initially as low as 0.1 milligrams per litre. After the issue was raised, the concentration was increased to 0.2 milligrams per litre. However, in order to effectively contain the outbreak, the presence of chlorine should be at least 0.4 milligrams per litre. The current concentration is below the recommended safety level of 0.2-1 milligrams per litre for drinking water.
Critical patients from Nainital have been transferred to hospitals in Haldwani. Dr. DC Pant from a private hospital in Haldwani has stated that prolonged contamination can lead to organ damage. One patient, suffering from severe diarrhoea, has been in the ICU for almost a week, and it is possible that her internal organs have been affected.
The contamination in Nainital began on June 20 when water pipelines were accidentally ruptured by an earth-mover machine during demolition at the district sports authority complex. This incident triggered a severe water shortage in the hill town.
Authorities believe that the cause of the diarrhoea outbreak in Nainital is contaminated water and food rather than a viral infection. However, investigations into the exact source of contamination are ongoing.
In order to address this public health crisis, it is crucial that the broken pipelines are promptly repaired and the water supply is thoroughly tested for any further contamination. The authorities must ensure that the chlorine concentration in the water is increased to the recommended level to prevent the outbreak from spreading further.
The residents of Nainital deserve access to clean and safe drinking water, and it is the responsibility of the concerned departments to take immediate action in resolving this issue. This incident highlights the importance of maintaining and monitoring the infrastructure to prevent such health hazards in the future.
Overall, it is essential that the local authorities prioritize the health and well-being of the residents by rectifying the broken pipelines and implementing proper measures to prevent contamination of the water supply. Only then can the people of Nainital be guaranteed access to safe and potable water, protecting them from waterborne diseases and health risks.
