A high concentration of chlorine in a school water tank near Pollachi caused 21 students to suffer from stomach pain and throat irritation. All students are now stable.

  • The incident occurred at a government middle school in Unjavelampatti, Coimbatore.
  • Chlorine was added for dengue prevention, but low water levels caused excessive concentration.
  • All 21 affected students are currently in stable condition at Pollachi Government Hospital.

In a distressing incident near Pollachi in the Coimbatore district, 21 students of a government middle school in Unjavelampatti fell ill after consuming water with an abnormally high concentration of chlorine. The students reported acute stomach pain and severe throat irritation on Tuesday afternoon, August 18, 2026.

Upon receiving alerts from teachers, parents rushed to the school and transported the affected children to the Pollachi Government Hospital. Following initial emergency treatment, the students were admitted to the pediatric ward for observation. Local police and revenue officials have since launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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The Cause of Contamination

According to official reports, the chlorine was introduced into the school's 60-liter drinking water tank as a preventive measure against Dengue. However, a critical error occurred: the water level in the tank was significantly low at the time of disinfection. This resulted in a highly concentrated chemical solution that caused immediate irritation to the students who drank from it.

Disinfection protocols in educational institutions must strictly adhere to chemical-to-water ratios to prevent accidental poisoning.

Why This Matters: BozokMedia Analysis

BozokMedia analysis shows that while preventive measures against vector-borne diseases like Dengue are essential, the lack of standardized monitoring during chemical application poses a significant risk. This incident highlights a systemic failure in supervising routine maintenance tasks in public educational facilities, where a simple oversight can lead to a mass health emergency.

K. Eswarasamy, the Member of Parliament for Pollachi, visited the hospital on Wednesday morning to check on the welfare of the children. Medical professionals have confirmed that the students are in stable condition. As a remedial measure, the school has since cleaned and sanitized the water tank to ensure safety for future use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why was chlorine added to the school water tank?
It was added as a preventive measure to stop the spread of Dengue.

2. What are the symptoms experienced by the students?
The students complained of stomach pain and throat irritation.

Did You Know?: Chlorine is a powerful disinfectant, but even small deviations in concentration can make water toxic for human consumption.