Jajarkot, July 8

Locals of Jajarkot headquarters Khalanga are compelled to drink water contaminated with excessive coliform.

Excessive level of coliform was detected in water supplied to people of wards 3 and 4 of Bheri Municipality in the district. High level of coliform was found in water from the Budbudi source.

Coliform level ranging from 0 to 5 is drinkable. “The coliform level of water at Budbudi is up to 140,” said Dr Keshar Karki of District Hospital Jajarkot. Water from Budbudi is drinkable only after filtration by using medicine.

According to Karki, coliform level might have gone up after flood water got mixed with the water at the source of water with the onset of monsoon. High level of coliform has led to outbreak of diarrhoea in the vicinity.

People from District Prison, District Police Office, and locals have started visiting the District Hospital after suffering from diarrhoea.

Jailor Tej Bikram Shah said prisoners had suffered from diarrhoea due to consumption of coliform-laced water.  “Of the total 54 jailbirds, most of them are suffering from diarrhoea, “ said Shah. Critically ill jailbirds were taken to District Hospital while the normally ill are receiving treatment in the prison itself.

Considering the dire situation, the district hospital is providing medicine, including water guard and piyush to District Prison Office, District Police Office, and locals for water purification.