Indore Water Crisis: 22 Fresh Cases Reported In Mhow, People Fell Sick After Drinking Contaminated Water

Fresh sickness linked to dirty drinking water is again worrying Indore, weeks after a deadly outbreak. At least 22 people in Mhow have fallen ill, nine are in hospital, and others are under home care. The new cluster has revived doubts over how safe the city’s water system really is.

The wider crisis has already taken a heavy toll. Residents say around 25 people have died across Indore, while official figures accept at least 15 deaths. Families of 21 confirmed victims have received Rs 2 lakh each, yet many still fear more unreported cases.

Indore water contamination: new Mhow cases spark fresh alarm

The latest illnesses are centred in the Mhow area, where people reported vomiting and diarrhoea after drinking tap water. Doctors say these symptoms match bacterial infection caused by unsafe supplies. Health teams are treating patients at home and in hospitals, trying to stop a repeat of the earlier outbreak.

Complaints from Mhow reached officials late on Thursday night. District Collector Shivam Verma then visited the hospital and spoke with affected families. Emergency steps followed, including medical camps and checks of local pipelines. By Friday morning, teams were already in the neighbourhoods assessing the situation.

Indore water contamination: Bhagirathpura outbreak under court scrutiny

The earlier outbreak hit Bhagirathpura hardest, where 51 tube wells later tested positive for E coli. Laboratory results were submitted to the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which is now overseeing the government response. The court is tracking how officials manage contaminated sources and protect residents.

Petitioners told the High Court that the government inquiry panel was "nothing more than an eyewash". They said authorities were focusing on protecting senior officers, instead of clearly fixing blame. According to them, public faith will not return unless responsibility is placed on specific officials.

Indore water contamination: official stance and on-ground measures

The state government has defended the committee formed after the Bhagirathpura crisis. Officials say the panel must trace where the contamination started, identify failures and plan safeguards. They claim its main goal is to stop any repeat incident, including in areas like Mhow and Bhagirathpura.

In Mhow, the administration has begun door-to-door health surveys. Teams are separating severe cases from mild ones and moving very sick patients to hospitals. Others remain under home monitoring. At the same time, water sources across Indore are being sampled regularly, with health staff on continuous alert.

For many people in Indore, confidence in the tap remains low. Ongoing court hearings, recent deaths and new cases in Mhow keep anxiety high. Residents are waiting for clearer answers on what went wrong and want proof that their everyday drinking water is now safe.