Indore Diarrhoea Outbreak Claims 9 Lives; Contaminated Water Identified as Cause

Contaminated Water Behind Indore Diarrhoea Outbreak, 9 Dead, Over 1,400 Affected.

A laboratory report has confirmed that contaminated drinking water caused a vomiting-diarrhoea outbreak in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, claiming nine lives and affecting more than 1,400 people, officials said on Thursday. The outbreak originated in the Bhagirathpura area, raising serious concerns over the safety of the city’s water supply, despite Indore’s eight-year streak as India’s cleanest city.

According to Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Madhav Prasad Hasani, the contamination was traced to a pipeline leakage near a police outpost, over which a toilet had been constructed. Authorities believe this led to the spread of bacteria in the local water supply.

Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Dubey said inspections are ongoing across Bhagirathpura’s water network to check for other leaks. Clean water was restored to households on Thursday, with residents advised to boil water before use as a precaution. Water samples have also been sent for testing.

Dubey added that the incident would inform a statewide standard operating procedure (SOP) to prevent similar outbreaks. Surveillance of the city’s water supply has been intensified to avoid further incidents. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government, noting that locals had reported contaminated water for days without action.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav called the outbreak an “emergency-like situation” and assured strict accountability. He visited hospitals and later chaired a high-level review of the situation.

A health department survey of 1,714 households covering 8,571 people found 338 residents with mild symptoms, who were treated at home. Since the outbreak began eight days ago, 272 patients have been admitted to hospitals; 71 have been discharged, while 201 remain hospitalized, including 32 in intensive care units.