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Sanitation Crisis in Nagpur: Rising Diseases Due to Poor Hygiene

Poor Sanitation Related Diseases in Nagpur
Poor Sanitation Related Diseases in Nagpur

Sanitation is often overlooked in daily life, yet its impact on public health is undeniable. In Nagpur, diseases linked to contaminated water and poor waste management have been steadily rising, affecting thousands each year.

Cases of diarrhea, typhoid, dengue, and chikungunya continue to increase, highlighting a persistent issue rather than a seasonal spike.


While urban expansion brings new developments, it also places greater pressure on water supply, drainage, and waste disposal systems, making sanitation a growing concern.


Despite Maharashtra’s development, detailed city-specific health data remains limited, making it difficult to assess the full extent of the problem.


However, the available figures paint a clear picture, sanitation-related illnesses are a serious challenge affecting people across different sections of society.


The Rising Tide of Waterborne Infections

Poor Sanitation in Nagpur
Poor Sanitation in Nagpur

In 2024, cases of diarrhoea and gastroenteritis spiked alarmingly, with 587 reported incidences within just the first half of the year.


More than 70% of these occurred between April and mid-July, a time when rising temperatures and irregular water supply create the perfect breeding ground for contamination.


The breakdown of cases reveals a worrying trend, 106 in April, 150 in May, 113 in June, and 52 within the first two weeks of July.


Typhoid, another disease closely linked to unclean water, also witnessed a concerning uptick. By mid-year, 90 cases had been recorded, with 23 emerging in July alone.


These figures may only represent the reported cases, leaving room for speculation on how many remain unaccounted for. The surge in infections highlights the direct correlation between poor sanitation and public health in the city.



Over the past three years, the district has logged 11,690 cases of diarrhoea and 8,373 of dysentery. The increase has been consistent, 5,260 cases of acute diarrhoeal disease in 2023 compared to 4,419 in 2022. By the end of May 2024, 2,011 new cases had already been recorded.

Such patterns indicate that this is not a seasonal anomaly but an ongoing health hazard that continues to afflict large portions of the population.


Vector-Borne Diseases on the Rise

Sanitation Infrastructure in Nagpur
Sanitation Infrastructure in Nagpur

Beyond waterborne illnesses, diseases transmitted by mosquitoes have also seen a disturbing rise. Chikungunya cases jumped sharply from 363 in 2023 to a staggering 1,189 in 2024.


Maharashtra as a whole has seen a spike in such infections, with Nagpur contributing a significant portion of the tally



The increase in mosquito-borne illnesses, including dengue, points to standing water, clogged drains, and inadequate waste disposal as key contributors.

Stagnant pools of water, often found in poorly maintained urban areas, provide the ideal breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes.


The rise in infections further underscores the link between environmental conditions and health, as areas with higher sanitation issues tend to report more cases.


The Statewide Surge in Infections


Nagpur’s issues reflect a larger pattern observed across Maharashtra.


Between January and September 2024, the state documented 2,441 cases of waterborne diseases such as cholera, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, jaundice, and typhoid, a 101% increase from the 1,213 cases recorded during the same period in 2023.



The mortality rate has also climbed, with ten deaths recorded in 2024 compared to just one the previous year.

These numbers reinforce the fact that sanitation-related illnesses are not just isolated incidents but part of a larger, deep-seated problem.


When left unchecked, the situation can escalate, leading to outbreaks that strain healthcare systems and put more lives at risk.



The Human Cost Behind the Numbers

The Human Cost of Poor Sanitation in Nagpur
The Human Cost of Poor Sanitation in Nagpur

Statistics, however alarming, often fail to capture the real impact of these diseases on the people affected. Behind every number is an individual, children unable to attend school due to prolonged illness, workers forced to take unpaid leave, and families burdened by medical expenses.


For those living in areas where sanitation infrastructure is lacking, everyday life is a gamble.



The risk of consuming contaminated water is ever-present, and the struggle to access clean drinking sources adds to the daily challenges. Hospitals see an influx of patients suffering from preventable illnesses, yet the underlying conditions that contribute to the crisis remain largely unaddressed.


As the data continues to pile up, the patterns become harder to ignore. Year after year, the figures tell the same story, painting a clear picture of how sanitation and public health are deeply intertwined.

While attention often shifts to more immediate concerns, the long-term consequences of neglecting hygiene and waste management are evident in the rising numbers of infections across the city.



The spread of disease in Nagpur due to poor sanitation is not a sudden crisis but a slow-building emergency.

The data from recent years provides a detailed account of how serious the situation has become. The figures are not just statistics on a report but indicators of a persistent issue affecting thousands. The impact is real, and the numbers show just how widespread the problem has grown.



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