Fresh alarm in Nalgonda as new cases of fluorosis detected

Marriguda mandal in Nalgonda district, once a fluoride hotspot, has now reported new cases of dental fluorosis identified among children. It indicated a relapse in the fluoride problem reigniting concerns over water contamination issues in the region.

Hyderabad: In an alarming development, fresh cases of dental fluorosis were reported from Marriguda mandal of Nalgonda district, just three years after the union Government patted Telangana for getting rid of the flourosis problem largely through supply of potable water through taps under the ambitious Mission Bhagiratha scheme, the brainchild of former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao.

Marriguda mandal in Nalgonda district, once a fluoride hotspot, has now reported new cases of dental fluorosis identified among children. It indicated a relapse in the fluoride problem reigniting concerns over water contamination issues in the region.

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Alarmed by these new instances, the district administration has ordered a door-to-door survey covering over 13,000 households in Marriguda mandal. This survey, led by Asha workers, has already identified some 140 cases of dental fluorosis within the past five days and will continue for another ten days.

Similar complaints have emerged from villages in Munugode, Nampally and Devarakonda mandals, despite these areas receiving 100% tap water supply coverage under the Mission Bhagiratha programme. The recurrence of fluorosis cases has raised questions about the effective implementation of the programme of late.

The first fluorosis case in the district was detected in Bhatlapally village in Marriguda mandal back in 1945. Since then, excessive fluoride has been found in the groundwater of 967 habitations in the former Nalgonda district, severely impacting the quality of life for three generations.

After a long drawn struggle, several measures were initiated addressing the gravity of the situation. In 2020, the BRS government announced that no new fluorosis cases had been detected in Telangana, and the union Health Ministry also endorsed the claim in Parliament, attributing the success to Mission Bhagiratha.

The recent detection of new cases has come as a shock, largely attributed to the consumption of rice and vegetables irrigated with fluoride-contaminated groundwater. The district administration’s ongoing survey has so far covered over 7,500 people, said the health officials. If neglected further, these dental fluorosis cases could progress to skeletal fluorosis, potentially crippling the victims.

Kanchukatla Subash, convener of the Fluorosis Vimukthi Porata Samithi, attributed the rise in fluorosis cases to the use of groundwater potentially leading to the new cases. He appealed to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to expedite special measures in the district to address the issue.

• New fluorosis cases detected among children in Marriguda mandal, Nalgonda district.
• District administration orders a door-to-door survey covering over 13,000 households.
• Lapses in Mission Bhagiratha implementation, despite 100% tap water coverage, under scanner
• Fluorosis has been a long-standing issue since 1945, affecting three generations.
• Kanchukatla Subash calls for special measures from Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.