The residents of Mahulpada village in Nuapada district are facing a severe health crisis due to fluoride-contaminated drinking water.
Despite repeated complaints, authorities have failed to provide a sustainable solution, forcing villagers to consume unsafe water from tube wells.
With over 400 families residing in the village, the lack of natural water sources has exacerbated the problem. The three available tube wells reportedly contain high fluoride levels, leading to widespread health issues such as joint pain, kidney disease, and dental fluorosis. Elderly residents complain of severe knee pain and spinal deformities, while children suffer from yellowing teeth.
In 2023, the Water and Sanitation Department constructed a water tank to address the crisis. However, despite pipeline connections being established three years later, the water supply lasted only 15 days before being discontinued. As a result, villagers are once again forced to rely on fluoride-contaminated water.
Frustrated by the negligence, residents have demanded immediate restoration of the water supply. They have warned of protests and a blockade of the Block Office if their demands are not met. District officials have assured intervention, but villagers remain sceptical, fearing further delays in securing safe drinking water.
