While citizens are dying, the government appears to be in deep slumber. Even as deaths rise due to contaminated milk and polluted drinking water, there is no meaningful response. Acute diarrhea outbreaks have thrown normal life into disarray, yet no effective relief measures are visible.
Across the state — from Gurla to Vijayawada, Guntur, Turakapalam, Chittoor, Kurnool, Anantapur, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam — similar conditions prevail. In Srikakulam alone, diarrhea cases have surged. Hundreds have been hospitalized and several have died, yet allegations persist that the government has failed to initiate timely preventive action. Victims allege that both advance preparedness and immediate response mechanisms have collapsed.
Public Health in Peril
Adulterated milk, contaminated water, and repeated diarrhea outbreaks have turned into death knells. The sequence of incidents under the coalition government highlights a systemic public health breakdown.
- Drinking water is unsafe.
- Food consumed by children is not secure.
- From village milk supplies to urban pipeline systems, contamination appears widespread.
The recurring outbreaks indicate severe deficiencies in sanitation management, chlorination processes, water testing protocols, and food safety enforcement.
Major Diarrhea & Contamination Incidents
Vizianagaram District – Gurla
Over 450 people were affected simultaneously. Children received treatment on school benches due to overcrowding.
Sri Sathya Sai District
An 11-year-old girl, Amulya, died due to vomiting and diarrhea, raising serious concerns about drinking water safety.
Vijayawada (NTR District)
Discolored drinking water led to hundreds being hospitalized. Two people died.
Guntur – Turakapalam
Government hospitals filled with diarrhea patients; contamination suspected as the primary cause.
Avanigadda
Multiple hospitalizations in a single day triggered public panic.
Srikakulam District
Cases rose to 162 with at least one confirmed death; several remain critical.
Manyam District – Residential School
Several girl students fell ill simultaneously, raising questions about water quality in institutional facilities.
Adulterated Milk – Food Turned Toxic
In Kakinada, incidents of milk adulteration resulted in deaths. If even milk provided to children is unsafe, public trust in food regulation mechanisms stands eroded.
Not Water… But carriers of Disease
In Vijayawada, pipeline water turned visibly discolored. In several villages, drainage leakage and mixing of sewage with drinking water were reported. These are preventable infrastructural failures. Yet there are allegations of inaction in inspecting pipelines, ensuring chlorination, monitoring storage systems, and conducting laboratory testing.
Victims allege that primary public health safeguards were neglected.
Key Questions Raised
- Why are repeated outbreaks occurring under the coalition government?
- Where is the public health machinery?
- Were water samples tested in time?
- Is there an early warning surveillance system?
- How many victims received compensation?
- What preventive infrastructure upgrades have been undertaken?
- Why the delay in acting against milk adulteration?
- What long-term corrective measures are being implemented?
Allegations of Medical Negligence
Expired medicines were reportedly found in diarrhea medical camps in Vijayawada. Victims questioned the government’s preparedness. Officials were seen visiting villages only after fatalities occurred. Reviews and statements followed deaths — but proactive action remained absent. Critics call this a governance failure.
Timeline of Reported Incidents (Coalition Period)
- 24.10.2024 – Vizianagaram (Gurla): Coliform bacteria found in drinking water; improper chlorination cited.
- 25.10.2024 – Gurla: Cholera-like symptoms identified among diarrhea patients.
- 25.10.2024 – Palnadu (Dachepalli): Two deaths; contaminated water confirmed.
- 21.01.2025 – Bondapalli: 16 people fell ill due to acute diarrhea.
- 28.02.2025 – Nandyal (Atmakur): Two deaths from vomiting and diarrhea.
- 07.05.2025 – Sri Sathya Sai (Rolla): 11-year-old girl died.
- 05.09.2025 – Tirupati District: One death due to diarrhea.
- 11–14.09.2025 – Vijayawada: Multiple deaths; 122+ cases recorded; expired medicines found.
- 18.09.2025 – Guntur: 33 hospitalized; contaminated water alleged.
- 23.09.2025 – Guntur: Cholera and E. coli cases identified; 146 diarrhea cases.
- 29.09.2025 – Avanigadda: Ten hospitalized.
- 19.10.2025 – Gurla: 8 deaths in six days; 450+ affected.
- 01.12.2025 – Srikakulam (Tallavalasa): One death; pipe contamination confirmed.
- 25–26.02.2026 – Srikakulam: 162 cases; one death; allegations of underreporting and administrative blame-shifting.
Public Health Under Eclipse
From rural habitations to urban municipalities, contamination, negligence, and delayed response are being cited as recurring patterns. Citizens demand safe drinking water, uncontaminated food, and accountability.
The pressing question remains:
How many more lives must be lost before systemic reform is implemented?
