Vijayawada: The dangerous e-coli bacteria has been found in the Krishna river water in abundance, especially at the Seethanagaram ghats where it is veru high.
Wastes from the industries and from the slums close by the ghats are said to be the major reason for the alarming rise in the bacteria in the water.
The consistence of bacteria in Krishna waters was revealed earlier a month ago during the study by a team of city doctors who sampled the waters and lab-tested them. Experts warn that there is every chance of skin allergies and strictly warned against drinking the water which could lead to conditions not limiting to diarrhoea, typhoid, and gastroenteritis. There could be breathing and kidney troubles too, warned the doctors.
Meanwhile, the government, which has made elaborate arrangements for the Krishna Pushkaralu, has taken steps to prevent the danger to pilgrims from the e-coli bacteria. Authorities are chlorinating the ghats every now and then to ensure the health of the pilgrims.
Though the government authorities have taken steps in chlorinating the river water, pilgrims having the holy dip in the Krishna waters are concerned about their health and are still in confusion. Some of them are hesitating to bathe in the waters and are just sprinkling water on their heads as a mark of holy bath.
“After having the bath in the river water, I had a burning sensation on my skin and its irritating. I visited the nearest health centré for treatment. They have given me some tablets and said nothing has happened. I had to consult a good doctor after going to my place,” said Giridhar, a pilgrim from Nellore city.
“I strongly believe that the river water is contaminated and traces of waste are seen floating on the river and huge numbers of the pilgrims have come to take a bath today. Some pilgrims are using soaps in the river for bathing. I am scared to have bath in the polluted water,” says Kavitha, a pilgrim from Tuni.
“We have taken steps to prevent water pollution and more staff are enga-ged in chlorinating the river every hour. Pilgrims can have a bath in the river and its safe as the percentage of e-coli bacteria found in the river is less than 1pm,” says Dr Surya Kumari, health and medical director.
