At least 12 people, including five children, have died in the past 15 days in Chayansa village of Palwal district in Haryana, allegedly due to contaminated drinking water. Health officials said the deaths, reported between late January and mid-February, were linked to severe liver-related complications. Preliminary findings indicate viral hepatitis and possible water contamination as the cause.
Villagers said the first three deaths occurred about two weeks ago following sudden illness. Since then, the toll has steadily increased. Residents claim that nearly every household in the village is reporting symptoms such as fever, cough, body ache and vomiting, with several patients remaining in serious condition despite repeated hospital visits.
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Contaminated Water Suspected
The village, home to around 5,000 people, depends on multiple water sources, including limited municipal supply, underground storage tanks, tanker water from outside, and RO-treated water brought from nearby Hithin town. Many homes store water in underground tanks that are refilled irregularly, raising concerns about contamination and poor sanitation.
Residents believe unsafe drinking water is behind the outbreak, pointing to irregular refilling and inadequate disinfection of storage tanks as potential reasons for the spread of waterborne infections.
Health Department’s Response
Palwal Chief Medical Officer Satinder Vashisth said large-scale screening and testing are underway. “Around 1,500 people, including close contacts of the deceased, have been screened so far. Nearly 800 outpatient consultations have been conducted, and blood samples have been tested for Hepatitis A, B, C and E,” she said.
Blood analysis of 210 individuals found two positive cases of Hepatitis B and nine of Hepatitis C, while all samples tested negative for Hepatitis A and E. Results for scrub typhus are still awaited. Three patients were hospitalised and are reported to be stable.
Water Quality Tests Reveal Contamination
Out of 107 household water samples collected, 23 failed quality checks, indicating bacterial contamination and inadequate chlorination. Coliform bacteria were detected in storage tanks during further testing. Officials also found chlorine absent in dozens of samples before corrective measures were initiated.
Authorities have begun steps to improve chlorination and ensure safe drinking water supply, even as fears of waterborne disease persist among residents.