In a two-page fact-finding inquiry report submitted to Mand on Wednesday, a four-member probe panel led by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Raghbeer Kaur Khaira, however, failed to find the source of the MC water contamination.  

“Efforts were made to pin-point where the water supplied by MC was contaminated but in the absence of site plans of underground water supply and sewerage pipelines laid in the village, the exact cause and source of contamination could not be ascertained,” the probe panel said. 

As a precautionary measure, however, the underground water supply lines were cleaned to check the supply of contaminated water supply. 

Divulging details of the probe report, SDM Khaira told Newsline that the water samples collected from the MC tap, shallow handpumps and tubewells were found unfit for human consumption with the presence of bacteria being confirmed. 

The members also observed that chabeels held in the village, a day before the outbreak on June 21, could also be responsible for the epidemic as a majority of the patients were reported from areas where these were served. 

Again, the probe panel failed to find the source of water served at the chabeels. 

The panel, comprising Civil Surgeon Dr Avtar Singh, Water Supply and Sanitation department Executive Engineer Inderjeet Singh Kang and MC Executive Officer Amana Kumar Goel, also recommended ban on holding chabeels and use of water for drinking purposes from shallow handpumps and tubewells. 

It was reported that following the cholera outbreak, the water supply was chlorinated, chlorine tablets were distributed and villagers were educated about health and hygiene, which helped in containing the epidemic as the 11 water samples that were collected after these steps on June 26 were found fit for human consumption. 

“Defecation in the open area along the village could also be the main source that led to the spread of the virus,” observed the probe panel.

The DC said he will soon call a joint meeting of the heads of all the departments concerned and direct them to take steps to avoid such epidemics in future.

While as many as 621 cases were reported at the civil hospital till June 26, no casualty was confirmed.