Written by Anand Mohan JBhopal | December 31, 2025 08:14 AM IST 3 min readDr Madhav Hasani, Chief Medical and Health Officer, said the administration was first alerted to the matter after private hospitals flagged an unusual spike in gastroenteritis cases.Over 30 people have fallen ill, purportedly after consuming contaminated drinking water in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore district, officials said.Authorities are probing allegations of a leakage in a main water pipeline. Officials said the area is supplied with water from the Narmada, and contamination caused by pipeline damage during recent excavation work or leakage from nearby structures has not been ruled out.While reports have emerged of three persons dying, health officials have not confirmed the same. They said investigations into the cause of illness are underway.Dr Madhav Hasani, Chief Medical and Health Officer, said the administration was first alerted to the matter after private hospitals flagged an unusual spike in gastroenteritis cases. “Yesterday, we received information from private hospitals that they were seeing an unusually high number of patients with vomiting and diarrhoea. By evening, reports came in from seven to eight hospitals that around 32 patients had been admitted,” Hasani said. “The exact reason is not clear yet. We have collected water samples from patients’ residences, and the reports are expected within 48 hours. As of now, no deaths have been reported specifically due to diarrhoea,” he said.Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has taken cognisance of the incident and directed officials to ensure immediate medical care.State minister Kailash Vijayvargiya visited hospitals treating affected residents and inspected the locality. He said more than 70 water samples had been collected from Bhagirathpura and surrounding areas, with test results expected by night. “Our immediate priority is the health of the people. Once everyone recovers, action will be taken against those responsible,” he said.Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said three deaths had been reported, adding that verified details would be shared by the health department. “Strict action will be taken against whoever is found responsible,” he said. Among the deceased is 75-year-old Bhagirathpura resident Nandlal Pal, who died at Verma Nursing Home on Tuesday morning. He had been admitted on December 28 after complaints of vomiting and diarrhoea. Doctors said the immediate cause of death was cardiac arrest, noting a history of high blood pressure and irregular medication.Story continues below this adResidents allege that nearly 150 people in the area have complained of vomiting and diarrhoea over the past week. Officials said a detailed inquiry would follow once water test reports are received to determine whether the contamination stemmed from pipeline damage, nearby excavation, or a compromised water tank.Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. 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