Suspected Waterborne Disease Outbreak Affects 200 Residents in Kupwara’s Gammandar Nagri

Kupwara, July 11: At least two hundred residents of Gammandar Nagri village in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have fallen ill following a suspected outbreak of a waterborne disease, sparking concern among locals and prompting swift administrative action.

Officials said that those affected are experiencing symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, and weakness. The local New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) has been converted into a 24×7 emergency facility in response to the crisis.

Medical and Jal Shakti department teams were immediately deputed to the village, and water samples have been collected for testing. The results are currently awaited.

According to locals, the village has been relying on two sources for drinking water: a spring and a recently connected dug well. While many residents suspect the newly introduced source could be responsible, officials have yet to determine whether the contamination originated from the well or the spring.

Doctors attending to patients have urged calm, stating that the situation is under control. “There is no need to panic. Most patients are stable and recovering with timely treatment. The water sample reports will guide the next course of action,” said a visiting health official.

Residents, however, expressed anger over what they described as negligence on the part of the authorities. They allege that the water supply sourced from the well was never tested before being connected.

Locals have appealed to the administration to ensure an immediate supply of clean, filtered drinking water and to take strict measures to prevent such incidents in the future. They also called for accountability and regular quality checks of water sources.

Meanwhile, health officials have urged residents to avoid consuming water from uncertain sources and instead use boiled water for drinking and cooking. People have been advised to maintain hygiene and to report any symptoms such as diarrhoea or vomiting to the health centre, which is now operating round the clock.