Health is often considered the greatest wealth, but for residents of Mahidharpada village in Odisha’s Angul district, the very water they depend on for survival has allegedly become a source of suffering and death. A growing health crisis linked to kidney-related ailments has left the village gripped by fear and uncertainty, with residents blaming contaminated drinking water for the tragedy unfolding in their community.

According to villagers, more than 15 people have died from kidney-related diseases over the past five years, while several others continue to battle severe health complications. The increasing number of cases has sparked serious concerns, particularly as younger residents are also reportedly being affected.

Locals suspect that polluted water from tube wells is the primary cause behind the rise in kidney ailments. Describing the situation as alarming, villagers claim that the tube wells have effectively turned into ‘wells of death’, with one person after another falling ill after consuming the water.

Residents allege that despite repeatedly approaching authorities and appealing for access to safe drinking water, their concerns have largely gone unheard. As a result, anxiety continues to grow across the village.

Mahidharpada, home to over 50 families, currently has only two tube wells designated for drinking water. However, one of them has remained defunct, leaving the entire village dependent on a single functional tube well. Villagers allege that the remaining water source supplies yellowish and contaminated water, raising serious concerns over its safety.

In an attempt to make the water usable, residents are reportedly tying cloth around the mouth of the tube well to filter out impurities before consumption. Despite these efforts, they claim that illnesses continue to spread, affecting both elderly residents and younger members of the community.

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However, it remains unclear whether contaminated drinking water alone is responsible for the kidney disease cases or whether other factors are contributing to the health crisis. No official investigation has yet established a direct cause behind the illnesses.

“After undergoing an ultrasound examination in Cuttack, I came to know that I am suffering from kidney disease. So far, around 10-12 youths from our village have died. We believe this is happening due to the contaminated tube-well water,” said Prabhakar Nayak, a villager.

“Youths in the village are increasingly being affected by the disease. Although we requested the Sarpanch to arrange alternative drinking water facilities, no steps have been taken so far,” said Purnachandra Sahu, a villager.

 Responding to the growing concern, Angul Sub-Collector Mayadhar Behera stated that a medical team will soon visit the village to conduct health check-ups and assess the drinking water situation. 

” We are not sure whether the kidney-related illnesses are being caused by tube-well water or some other factor. However, the administration has not made proper arrangements for safe drinking water for us,” said Shailabala Behera, a relative of the patient.

” Around 60 families are dependent on a single tube-well for their drinking water needs. Many villagers suspect that the disease is spreading due to contaminated water. However, the government has not taken any concrete steps to address the issue,” said Suresh Behera, a villager.

“As per the direction of the Collector, we will send a special health team to conduct health check-ups and assess the drinking water situation,” said Angul Sub-Collector Mayadhar Behera.