Andhra Pradesh: More than 40 people fell ill due to water pollution

GUNTUR: Over 40 people fell sick after consuming contaminated water in Palnadu districts in the last two weeks. According to officials, villagers in some colonies of Karampudi in Macherla and Kesanpalli in Gurajala consumed contaminated water and suffered from diarrhoea. Soon after receiving the information, health and medical department officials rushed to the villages and inspected the situation. Speaking to TNIE, Palnadu DMHO Dr Ravi said medical camps have been set up and patients have been admitted to the local PHC and some have been shifted to Guntur GGH for better treatment. “The officials are also conducting door-to-door surveys and collecting water samples from reservoirs and pipelines and have found that the water being supplied through the pipeline near the drain is contaminated. People are advised to drink boiled water until the situation normalises,” he said. Panchayat officials have been asked to make alternative arrangements for providing safe drinking water and take up special sanitation works in villages. Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Department Commissioner Dr Venkateshwar took stock of the situation in the district during a recent video conference with all DMHOs.