Three dead, over 20 hospitalised after allegedly consuming contaminated water in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Three persons, including two women, died and over 20 others were hospitalised in Tambaram, a suburb of the city on Thursday after they allegedly consumed contaminated piped water.

The victims have been identified as Varalakshmi (88), and Mohana Rangan (42), who were residing in Pallavaram Cantonment area, and their relative Thiruvedhi, who was visiting them. While the residents alleged that Varalakshmi also died after she consumed the contaminated drinking water, Health Minister Ma Subramanian claimed she lost her life due to age-related illness.

After the incident sent shock waves, government authorities collected water samples from 10 locations in Pallavaram Cantonment and Kamarajar Nagar, and sent them for testing at the state-owned King’s Institute Laboratory. Water needs of the densely-populated area is met by piped networks and private tankers.

Activists alleged that water contamination was the reason for the deaths, the government suggested that it can’t come to any conclusion unless the test results come.

“The report is expected in three days,” the Health Department said in a statement, adding that the tanker which supplied water to the area has been seized. Health camps were conducted for the residents on Thursday, even as over 20 people are receiving treatment in various hospitals in Chromepet and Pallavaram areas.

The statement said two people were brought dead while one person died at the hospital, while the Health Minister made it clear they can conclude on the reason for the deaths only when they receive reports of tests and post mortem of the deceased.

Locals also alleged that sewage was mixed with drinking water as the incident created an uproar with opposition parties asking the government to come clean on the issue. MSME minister T M Anbarasan’s initial statement that the deaths could be due to “food poison” also didn’t sit well with the opposition parties.

“Water is a very basic necessity and it is the government’s duty to supply it. This incident due to water contamination is a classic example of the DMK government’s callousness,” Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami said.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief President K Annamalai sought to know whether the Chief Minister was aware that such incidents are happening in the state. “There is corruption in every sphere of life and people are losing their lives every day,” he added.