A dire health crisis has gripped Budhpur village in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, following a surge in fatalities linked to contaminated water. Over the past 15 days, thirteen residents have died, primarily from heart attacks, kidney failure, and severe infections, raising alarm among the local population. The villagers attribute these deaths to the toxic waste being discharged into a nearby drain, which they believe has seeped into the groundwater, poisoning their primary water source.
The situation has triggered widespread panic, with residents expressing frustration over the lack of administrative action to address the crisis. According to Surendra Pal Singh, the former village head, the most recent casualty was a 70-year-old woman who succumbed to a liver-related ailment in a Meerut hospital. Singh points to the untreated chemical effluents released by sugar mills and the raw sewage from adjacent colonies as the primary sources of contamination.
"Sugar mills in the Baraut region are discharging chemicals into nearby water bodies, which is not only harming aquatic life but also contaminating the groundwater," Singh stated. He further emphasized the vulnerability of the villagers, most of whom cannot afford water purifiers, making them directly susceptible to the health hazards posed by the polluted water. The contaminated water, he warned, not only poses serious health risks to humans but also damages crops and proves fatal to livestock. Ultimately, this contaminated water flows into the Krishni River, a significant tributary of the Hindon River that courses through the district, exacerbating the environmental damage.
Echoing Singh's concerns, Anil Kumar, a resident of the neighboring Chilora village in Meerut, recounted his personal losses due to water contamination. He revealed that he lost his wife to blood cancer 15 years ago when she was only 35, and two uncles to lung cancer at the ages of 56 and 60. Kumar asserted that the water drawn from hand pumps and tube wells is tainted by untreated waste originating from sugar mills, paper mills, and other factories. He believes that the only viable solution is to flush the system with clean water to dilute the toxins.
Dr. Vijay Kumar, the medical superintendent of Baraut community health center, acknowledged the severity of the situation. According to him, nine deaths have been confirmed following a thorough survey, and all the deceased were chronic patients. After the issue gained prominence, a medical camp was organized, where over 100 villagers underwent screening. However, Dr. Kumar stated that only common illnesses were detected during the check-up.
Rajkumar Sangwan, the Baghpat Member of Parliament, has recognized the gravity of the matter. He asserted that if the mills are indeed dumping untreated waste into water bodies, the Pollution Control Board and the district administration must be held accountable. While he acknowledged that the issue might stem from a small drain, he also highlighted the significant concern of inadequate healthcare facilities in Baghpat.
The crisis in Budhpur highlights the broader challenges facing rural communities in Uttar Pradesh and across India, including the lack of access to clean water, proper sanitation, and adequate healthcare. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stricter environmental regulations, effective waste management practices, and improved healthcare infrastructure in rural areas to protect the health and well-being of vulnerable populations.
