‘Salty groundwater in Salem village killed 39 lives in 2 years’

SALEM: People of Rajapalayam village in Gengavalli taluk of Salem district claimed that a high level of salt content in the groundwater in their village, has caused health problems to many and that 39 of them have died in the last two years as a result of renal failures and other medical problems caused by the untreated water.

The issue came to light on Monday when a group of the villagers under the leadership of CPI(M)’s Salem district secretary, Ramamurthy, took out a protest rally here to the district collectorate in which people of Rajapalayam village also participated to highlight their plight and seek corrective measures.

The affected people said though Cauvery water from Mettur used to supplied to their village, for the past five years it had been stopped. This forced the people to rely on groundwater alone which is found to highly salty in that area. In the absence of a water treatment facility, many people of the village were falling ill including cases of kidney failure, they claimed, adding, about 25 people were being treated in various hospitals now. This was besides 39 deaths that have taken place. Urging suitable action, they urged that Cauvery water supply to their village be restored and a water treatment facility be installed at once.