Deaths spark water contamination protest: Two die, over 10 hospitalised; probe under way
Two residents died and over 10 were hospitalized in Karlambakkam Colony, Tiruvallur district, with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. Angry residents suspect contaminated drinking water and staged a highway blockade. Authorities are investigating the cause, with initial reports suggesting other factors for the deaths.
Villagers staging a sit-in protest at R K Pet state highway
CHENNAI: Tension prevailed at Karlambakkam Colony near Pallipattu in Tiruvallur district on Saturday after two residents died and more than 10 others were hospitalised with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea.
Angry residents suspect that they died after consuming contaminated drinking water supplied to the arear and staged an blockade on the Pallipattu–R K Pet State Highway that lasted for nearly 3 hours and disrupted traffic movement.Karlambakkam Colony, home to over 200 families, receives drinking water through pipelines connected to a borewell and an overhead tank maintained by the panchayat. According to villagers, several residents began falling ill soon after consuming the water, complaining of stomach pain, vomiting, and loose motions.On Friday night, Ezhumalai, 55, a construction foreman, died after suffering from severe vomiting and diarrhoea. On Saturday morning, Sudha, 40, wife of Varadhan, also collapsed with similar symptoms and died while being taken to hospital.More than 10 other villagers with similar symptoms were admitted to the govt hospitals in Pallipattu and Tiruttani. Residents claimed that sewage contamination in the water pipelines caused the illnesses and deaths.
Angered by what they described as negligence, over 50 villagers gathered on the highway around 9am and staged a sit-in protest, placing stones and thorny bushes on the road to block traffic.Police personnel from Pallipattu were deployed at the spot and held talks with the protesters to restore normalcy. Meanwhile, the Block Medical Officer, along with a medical team, rushed to the village and set up a temporary medical camp to examine residents and provide treatment.The situation turned more tense when Sudha's body, which was kept at her house for funeral rites, was taken to the Athimancheri Pettai Primary Health Centre after relatives claimed there were signs of movement. Doctors, however, confirmed that she was dead. Alleging that authorities were attempting to mislead them, villagers initially refused to receive the body, intensifying the protest.Police and revenue officials are continuing their efforts to pacify the villagers, while health officials are expected to collect water samples and investigate the cause of contamination.
The incident has caused widespread concern in the Pallipattu region. Dr A Somasundaram, director of public health, TN, said, "The two deceased were a 70-year-old man with liver disease and a 35-year-old woman who suffered food poisoning after attending a "feast". They were admitted to hospitals in Tiruttani and Pallipattu, respectively. Samples of the food and water they consumed have been sent to laboratories, and the results are expected in a couple of days. Until then, it cannot be confirmed whether the deaths are directly linked to water contamination in Tiruvallur.