Anantnag, Jan 28 : Several jaundice cases have been reported in Gotligund Verinag, prompting locals to demand access to safe drinking water.
A health official told Rising Kashmir that 27 cases of jaundice have been reported in the past few days from Gotligund village, with many of the affected individuals now recovering.
“The health teams have been on the ground ever since the rise in jaundice cases was observed in the village. The Chief Medical Officer, Block Medical Officer, and other health officials have visited the area. There is no need to panic as those affected are recovering,” the official said.
Majid Ahmad, a local resident of Gotligund, told Rising Kashmir that they suspect the outbreak is due to water contamination.
“More than half of the village gets water from a lift scheme sourced from the Vethasta spring, while the rest receive water from a reservoir. Many, mostly children, have fallen ill due to suspected water contamination,” he said.
Ahmad added that the problem began on January 13 when a local boy, Salim Shabir, fell ill. Since then, dozens of children and others have developed symptoms and were diagnosed with jaundice.
“Although they are now recovering, authorities should thoroughly inspect the water source and ensure we are provided with safe drinking water,” he demanded.
Ahmad further said that the village consists of approximately 150 households and is located just half a kilometer away from Verinag. He urged authorities to supply water from the Verinag reservoir or another reliable source to ensure better water quality and supply.
Meanwhile, Irshad Ahmad, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of Jal Shakti, said the village receives water through the Gotligund lift scheme, which he claimed is safe.
“While jaundice cases have been reported, water supply testing has shown some parameters within limits, while others require incubation. Our team is currently on-site conducting a thorough examination of additional parameters,” he said.
Ahmad added, “Extensive testing will be conducted across more households in different mohallas of the village. The current water source caters to nearly 30 villages, and regular chlorination is being carried out to ensure safety.”
