Over 100 Girls Hospitalized in Jharkhand after Contaminated Water Incident

In a concerning incident at a residential school in Jharkhand’s Garhwa district, more than 100 schoolgirls reportedly fell ill after consuming water from an overhead plastic storage tank. The incident, which occurred at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya in Kharaundhi block, has raised serious questions about the safety and hygiene standards of the institution, which serves around 300 students.

On Friday, students began exhibiting symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, dizziness, and weakness. In response to the alarming situation, the affected girls were promptly rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Initial reports from the district administration indicated that around 100 students were impacted, but Garhwa’s Deputy Commissioner, Pashupati Nath Mishra, later confirmed that 77 girls were officially admitted for treatment. While most have since been discharged, a few remain under observation but are considered out of danger.

An investigation into the incident has begun, revealing apparent negligence on the part of the school’s management. In light of these findings, the district administration has suspended several staff members, including the school warden, a full-time teacher, and a cook. Kharaundhi Block chief, Abha Rani, expressed her concerns, alleging that many students were compelled to drink heated water from the plastic tank during the extreme heatwave, which may have contributed to their illnesses.

Furthermore, Rani criticized the overall conditions of the school, claiming that the premises and kitchen lacked proper hygiene. She pointed out that meals were not being provided as per the mandated menu, and a power outage connected to Muharram had deprived students of access to fresh drinking water. While the hostel was equipped with a reverse osmosis (RO) system, it appears that its functionality was compromised, further endangering the health of the students.

This incident has highlighted the pressing need for better monitoring and improvement of hygiene standards in educational institutions across the state. As the investigation continues, local authorities are urged to take swift action to ensure the safety and well-being of students in Jharkhand’s residential schools.

Source: scroll.in