Davanagere: Over 20 villagers from Manyaramasalwada in Harapanahalli taluk fell ill over the past two days after consuming contaminated water. On Sunday and Monday, outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhoea were reported, with 13 people from Vaddarageri and seven from Kurubarageri hospitalised in facilities across Harapanahalli, Davanagere, and a private nursing home.

The village, home to 3,000 residents, relies on five tubewells for water. Officials discovered that rainwater and sewage had entered one of the ground-level tubewells due to a faulty valve, contaminating the supply lines in Vaddarageri and Kurubarageri. The water supply to those areas was immediately cut off.

Residents blamed the gram panchayat for poor maintenance of drinking water and sanitation systems. PDO Mohammad Rafi confirmed that the affected tubewell was disconnected and sanitation drives were underway. He urged villagers to use the RO unit, though many avoid it due to a belief that it causes limb pain.

AEE Ambedkar Sanagunda from the rural drinking water department said water samples have been sent for testing and results are awaited. Health officials reported that three patients have recovered and no new cases have emerged since Tuesday.

Locals recalled the 2021 Marakabbi tragedy where seven died due to similar contamination. “The precautionary steps taken then were abandoned, leading to today’s crisis,” a villager alleged.

Tahsildar G Santosh Kumar and taluk health officers have directed the panchayat to ensure urgent repairs and sustained preventive action.