According to reports, six people in three settlements under Talamalai panchayat in Talavadi Hills, Erode District fell ill after drinking rainwater from streams and water bodies for 13 days.
Health officials said on May 24th that Maramma, aged 40, a resident of the forest-based tribal settlement of Mavanatham; Gowriyammal aged 65, Rangan aged 75 and Maathi aged 85 all died after complaining of vomiting and diarrhea. These same issues were also reported by Marae, a 67-year-old woman from the same place and Kolan, a man from Ittarai revenue settlement who was sixty years old at the time prior to their deaths as well. On that day, Neeli with her husband Balan also got sick in Thadasalatti and were admitted to Sathyamangalam Government Hospital on Friday June 7th for treatment.
Following the incident on Friday June 8th police personnel together with health department officials went to these three places for an enquiry. In addition health teams were sent to screen the residents. The panchayat has also sprayed chlorine powder around these areas.
Hills have reportedly received rains in the last three weeks while their inhabitants reportedly drank water directly from streams flowing through them into their accommodations. “Water samples have been collected; only when we get results will it be clear if there was contamination” one of them says.
According to District Collector Mr. Rajasankar most of the victims were elderly. “We will know if it is because of some problem with water only after receiving lab reports” he explained. As per the officials each death is under investigation on possible causes leading to those deaths.
When asked about this, a resident of Ittarai settlement revealed that two villagers died two weeks ago after participating in a function at Mavanatham temple.
