Surat residents suffering from water-borne diseases, thanks to ‘Green’ Tapi river

Surat (Gujarat): Myriad citizens of Surat, India’s diamond capital, have fallen ill with water-borne illnesses like diarrhoea, typhoid, vomiting, and dysentery. It has been suggested by medical professionals that the poor quality of water supplied by the Surat Municipal Corporation is to blame for the recent increase in cases of water-borne illness (SMC).

The Tapi river is a vital resource for the people of Surat, as well as the city’s industries and farmers. However, the river’s colour has changed from blue to bright green due to the presence of sediments and algae, most likely as a result of human activity.

Nearly all of the city receives its water supply from the upstream section of the Tapi River near the wier-cum-causeway, except for a small number of areas under the jurisdiction of the SMC. However, environmentalists have raised serious concerns about the quality of the water being supplied to city residents, as it is polluted by the constant discharge of industrial waste, the release of sewage-treated water by the Kosad Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), and the huge inflow of fertiliser waste from agricultural fields.

Large numbers of people in most urban areas under SMC jurisdiction have been struck by dysentery, vomiting, diarrhoea, and other illnesses. There has been an unexpected surge in patients at clinics in the last few days, according to reports.

MHS Shaikh, president of Brackish Water Research Centre (BWRC) said, “Majority of the water-borne diseases are found from the areas in Rander, Adajan and walled city areas. The water-borne pathogen contamination in Tapi river is the only reason behind the people taking ill in Surat. We have requested the civic authorities to take harsh action in this regard”

Dr Ramesh Parmar, a physician in Adajan said, “About 95% of my patients are visiting the clinic with complaints of vomiting, dysentery, typhoid, diarrhoea and stomach pain. Such illnesses are high among children and teenagers as well. This might be due to the quality of water they are drinking and the presence of water-borne pathogen contamination in water resources and it is a concern”

Under the condition of anonymity, the second doctor in Chowk Bazaar reported, “Cholera, typhoid, and other deadly pathogens are increasing in Tapi river.” There is a risk of illness from drinking Tapi river water, even after it has been treated by the SMC. Most severely impacted by the toxic stew of untreated sewage overflows, agricultural pesticide runoff, and industrial pollution, Surat is the worst-affected city in the country.

He continued, “It’s a wake-up call for the SMC authorities to get down and fix things so that Surat doesn’t lose its lifeline river.” If we care about the health and safety of the people of Surat, we must put an end to the disposal of polluted waste in the area upstream of the Tapi River.

Activist Rajesh Modi has been bedridden for ten days. Modi is experiencing severe diarrhoea and stomach pain. “I am passing sleepless nights due to the recurring pain in my stomach coupled with diarrhoea,” said Modi, an Adajan resident. “As soon as I heard about what was happening with the Tapi river, I sent a tweet to the highest authorities in SMC, including the municipal commissioner, with the breaking news from The Blunt Times. For the people of Surat, the only thing that can make them sick is drinking the green water from Tapi.