Over 40 hospitalized as diarrhea outbreak hits Kamarhati amid water crisis

A diarrhea outbreak has struck Kolkata’s Kamarhati municipal area, with over 40 residents from Ward No. 29 hospitalized. Patients have been admitted to Sagar Dutta Medical College Hospital and Kamarhati ESI Hospital with complaints of vomiting, weakness, and other symptoms. Locals have alleged that contaminated drinking water, reportedly containing high iron levels, is responsible for the outbreak. They claim the area has been facing water quality issues for a long time, with repeated complaints to the authorities yielding no resolution.

Residents have demanded intervention from the Chief Minister, stating that informing local representatives has been ineffective. “The water issue has persisted for years. Informing local authorities is pointless,” said a resident undergoing treatment. Another hospitalized patient reported multiple episodes of vomiting and deteriorating health conditions. Panic has spread in the locality as more people report similar symptoms, with concerns rising over a potential escalation of the crisis.

The Kamarhati municipal administration has begun collecting water samples for laboratory testing. Local councilor Nirmala Roy, who was seen making announcements in the area, has also fallen ill. She stated that authorities are monitoring the situation. The outbreak has intensified concerns amid an ongoing water crisis in Howrah, with residents seeking urgent action to prevent further health hazards.