Pakistan News Agency quoted officials on Thursday as saying that seven people out of at least 50 people were taken to hospital in the Jatlodia area of Ahmedabad after drinking contaminated water.
According to officials, A pipeline leak led to sewage mixing With Narmada water supply to the region.
Following the incident, Union Minister Amit Shah, who comes under Ghatlodia Lok Sabha constituency, spoke to officials and took stock of the situation as residents had complained of diarrhea and vomiting for the past four days after consuming contaminated water.
“Gandhinagar Lok Sabha MP and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot regarding a case of diarrhea and vomiting that has emerged in some Gota Ward communities in the northwest district of Ghatlodia Assembly constituency in Ahmedabad,” a statement issued by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said.
The Union Minister has instructed municipal commissioner Panchanidhi Pani and health department officials to take all necessary measures, the statement said, adding that measures have been taken on war footing to repair the pipeline.
Health management teams visited all housing societies where cases of diarrhea and vomiting were reported, conducted house-to-house surveys, and chlorine tablets were distributed to purify water.
“Officials took preventive measures, conducted house-to-house surveys, conducted chlorine tests and deployed medical teams in the area,” said Dr Bhavin Solanki, medical officer of health at Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, adding that 19 water samples were collected from the area.
“Seven of the 11 affected people remained in hospital on Thursday,” he told PTI, adding that the situation was under control.
As reported by Hindustan Times earlierAhmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchanidhi Pani said Akanksha Apartments were among the worst affected communities and health teams were deployed at various places. He added that more than 26 areas in the city were previously classified as high-risk and are subject to continuous monitoring.
While locals earlier claimed that hundreds of people fell ill after drinking contaminated water over the past four days, Commissioner Bani said on Wednesday that about 50 people fell ill after water and sewage pipelines collapsed on May 30, and the fault was repaired immediately, he said.
“About 50 cases were reported at the outpatient clinic level, most of whom were treated and discharged from day care. The situation is under control,” Bani said.
Nearly 500 residents have fallen ill, said Rakeshbhai Patel, president of Akanksha Apartments Association.
“Sewage and drinking water mixed in Narmada after the drainage line broke. On an average, at least one person in every house is affected,” Patel said.
