Polluted water leaves more than 100 sick

Nellore: More than 100 people fell sick in the last three days due to consuming contaminated water in Peddabbipuram village of AS Pet mandal in the district. Local people have been facing the difficult situation with erratic water supply by the gram panchayat for some time but there was no action from the administration. 

District administration, on receiving information about the crisis, rushed medical teams to treat the villagers who have been suffering from infections and diarrhoea. Peddabbipuram village, with a population of around 600, is mainly an agriculture village. Most of the people are agriculture labourers.

They are complaining that they had been falling sick frequently due to contaminated water supply. They allege that polluted water was being supplied for the last four days and people have been falling sick. They were visiting AS Pet primary health centre (PHC) for treatment. Doctor there confirmed that villagers had been taking ill only due to water contamination in the village.

“We have been suffering from severe vomiting and fever for the last two days since contaminated drinking water is being supplied through taps for last four days. Though we had requested the sarpanch to clean water tank,  the panchayat has failed to resolve the issue,” said K Ravi, a resident of Peddabbipuram village. After two days, more than 100 patients fell sick triggering a health crisis in the village.

AS Pet primary health centre medical officer Dr Gopinath said they had formed a team and organised a medical camp in the village after observing the situation four days ago. “We are also engaging another two medical teams for the village to control fever and infections. We have already told the sarpanch and panchayat secretary immediately to clean water supply system.” 

Atmakur revenue divisional officer T Bapi Reddy along with officials visited the village and enquired about the situation. He later told the media that the situation in the village was under control and more medical teams with all medicines and equipment would be deployed to help the victims. The RDO promised measures to clean up water supply system on a war footing for preventing further infections.