JAMMU, Jan 29: No new cases of illness have been reported in the past six days from a remote village in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, which recently experienced the unexplained deaths of 17 individuals from three families between December 7 and January 19, according to an official update on Wednesday.
The district administration, under the guidance of Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma, continues to implement comprehensive preventive measures to ensure the well-being of Badhaal village.
In an effort to address the situation and avert additional fatalities, 87 families, totaling 364 individuals, have been relocated to three isolated centers in Rajouri — including the Government Nursing College, Government Boys Higher Secondary School, and Government Medical College and its associated hospital — where they are currently under observation.
“Thorough arrangements have been made to guarantee the comfort and safety of the displaced families, who are receiving meals, clean water, baby food, sanitary supplies, medicines, clothing, and other essential items under close attention from medical professionals and the district administration,” the official stated.
An on-site medical team comprising three doctors and six paramedics is working around the clock, with critical care ambulances stationed nearby, the official added.
Meals are being prepared in kitchens monitored by CCTV, and food samples are sent for testing to NFL in Ghaziabad and Patoli Food Testing Lab in Jammu.
The official noted that Anganwadi workers and Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) have been deployed to assist children under six, while temporary schooling options have been arranged for older children.
Craft instructors and ITI teachers are providing vocational training in sewing and other skills, with sewing machines supplied by the Social Welfare Department.
Officials from agriculture, horticulture, and labor departments are educating families about available government schemes.
To ensure the safety of the remaining 808 households (3,700 individuals) in Badhaal, the village has been divided into 14 clusters, monitored by multi-departmental teams consisting of 182 officials.
All shops and establishments have been sealed, and food rations are being distributed under strict supervision. Additionally, official teams are providing care for 424 domestic animals and 168 poultry belonging to the relocated families.
Daily testing of food and consumables is ongoing, and a total of 167 blood, urine, and nasal swab samples have been collected for examination at GMC Rajouri.
A control room, overseen by the Additional District Development Commissioner, has been established to coordinate efforts, address public inquiries, and provide updates to alleviate concerns, the official reported.
He emphasized that the district administration is taking a comprehensive approach to manage the situation and ensure the welfare of all affected families.
