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Infant death sparks outrage over Indore water contamination
Five-month-old Avyan Sahu died three days after developing severe diarrhoea, which his father blames on tap water mixed with cow's milk. The tragedy has exposed a wider crisis in Bhagirathpura, where sewage-tainted water has sickened hundreds and killed at least four, with fears the toll could rise.
How the outbreak unfolded
Avyan's parents, residents of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, followed a common practice among Indian families: diluting cow's milk with boiled tap water to feed their infant. Despite boiling the mixture, the child fell ill on 26 December and died within 72 hours. His father, Sunil Sahu, alleges the contaminated water was the cause.
Health officials later confirmed a pipeline leak had allowed sewage to seep into the drinking water supply, triggering a diarrhoea outbreak in Bhagirathpura, a neighbourhood home to low-income and lower-middle-class families.
Death toll disputed as cases surge
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that postmortem reports have linked four deaths to the contaminated water. However, discrepancies persist. State minister Kailash Vijayvargiya reported hearing of eight deaths, while local journalists told BBC Hindi the toll may be as high as 14.
Over 200 people have been hospitalised, and health authorities screened 40,000 residents in the past week, identifying 2,450 cases of vomiting and diarrhoea. The crisis has drawn sharp criticism, particularly as Indore has repeatedly been ranked India's cleanest city.
Government response and public anger
District Magistrate Shivam Verma announced the leak had been repaired, but residents remain sceptical. The municipal corporation is supplying water via tankers, and officials have warned against using tap water until further notice. One municipal officer has been dismissed, and two others suspended.
"It should not have happened in the first place. We have set up a committee to investigate, and no stone will be left unturned to ensure this never recurs,"
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav
Opposition leader Jitu Patwari accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misgovernance, alleging the death toll was being underreported. Local councillor Kamal Waghela, also of the BJP, acknowledged the city's ageing sewage and water pipelines require extensive repairs.
Families mourn as complaints resurface
Residents say they had reported foul-smelling water for over two months before the outbreak. Sanjay Yadav, a tailor, lost his 69-year-old mother within 24 hours of her falling ill. His 11-month-old son is also unwell. Neighbour Sudha Pal described the tap water as still smelling foul, despite assurances from authorities.
"The water smelt foul, but we never thought it could kill someone,"
Arun Prajapat, whose mother died after drinking contaminated water
As investigations continue, Bhagirathpura's residents grapple with grief and distrust, questioning how a city lauded for cleanliness could fail them so catastrophically.
