Three dead, 50 sick due to contaminated water supply

Confirming the deaths, including that of a woman, civil surgeon Dr Varinderpal Singh Mohi today said special teams have been deputed at the site and medical aid was being given in the area.

Mayor of Patiala Municipal Corporation Ajit Pal Singh Kohli told PTI that the problem of contaminated water arose on Saturday night as an overloaded truck passed the area and broke the water and sewage pipes.

Following this, sewage entered into the water pipes resulting in the supply of contaminated water to the particular area.

He said that the corporation immediately stopped the water supply when it came to know about the incident.

The supply of water was restored through five water tankers and chlorine tablets have been supplied immediately to each house.

The deceased have been identified as Gurdail Singh (55), Gurdev Kaur (80) and Narian Singh (65).

In the past seven days, there has been a sudden rise in the number of gastroenteritis cases in the Guru Nanak Nagar of Badungar Basti and Sanjay Colony.

Meanwhile, the total number of persons suffering from vomiting and loose motions has gone up. Though the health authorities claim that the total number of patients suffering from this problem is around 70, sources in the department confirmed that the number was close to 150.