Contaminated Water Tank at Assam Engineering College Sickens Over 50 Hostel Students in Guwahati More than 50 hostel residents at Guwahati's Assam Engineering College fell ill and required hospital care after a decomposed monkey was discovered inside their drinking water storage tank. A severe public health scare has gripped the campus of Assam Engineering College in Guwahati following an alarming water contamination incident. More than 50 resident students fell ill after the carcass of a monkey was discovered inside the primary water storage tank of Hostel No. 7, sparking deep distress over sanitation protocols and the safety of daily drinking supplies across the institution. Pungent Odour Leads to Shocking Discovery The situation came to light on the evening of November 2, when residents of Hostel No. 7 noticed a foul smell emanating from their taps and raised urgent complaints. A subsequent physical inspection of the overhead storage unit exposed the decomposing remains of a monkey trapped inside. Indications revealed that the animal had likely remained inside the reservoir for nearly an entire week without being detected by maintenance personnel. Contaminated Supply Used for Hostel Meals Throughout the seven-day period, unsuspecting students continued to consume and utilize the foul water for their everyday washing and hydration needs. Compounding the hazard, the hostel mess staff had also been drawing water from the same compromised tank to prepare daily meals for all residents. The sustained consumption of bacterially compromised water led dozens of boarders to experience acute gastrointestinal symptoms and physical distress. Medical Attention at Jalukbari Facility As symptoms worsened, over 50 affected boarders were rushed to the Ayurvedic College Hospital located in Jalukbari for immediate medical care. While medical personnel noted recovery in several students, multiple individuals remain under ongoing clinical supervision. A number of patients required intravenous fluid administration to stabilize their condition, whereas others were advised to recuperate inside their hostel quarters under medication. Students Question Campus Maintenance Protocols The ordeal has ignited sharp criticism regarding the frequency of infrastructure inspections and water safety checks at the premier engineering institution. Aggrieved hostel residents have questioned how such catastrophic contamination escaped administrative notice for days, demanding strict adherence to sanitation oversight so that clean water is consistently safeguarded. What this means for you This incident underlines the critical importance of hygiene surveillance and immediate preventive action for students living in residential campus facilities. • In Assam and Guwahati: Campus administrators and hostel authorities must immediately conduct deep sanitization, chlorination, and cover inspections across all storage tanks to curb waterborne infections. Students are urged to avoid drinking unverified tap water directly and rely on boiled or certified purified water. • Across India: Hostel residents nationwide should treat any unusual odour, discolouration, or taste in tap supplies as an immediate hazard and alert authorities without delay. Active student committees should routinely monitor kitchen hygiene and water filtration systems to prevent such oversights. • Managing Health Symptoms: Anyone experiencing nausea, cramps, diarrhoea, or fever after drinking institutional water must seek clinical assistance immediately. Timely oral rehydration or electrolyte intake is crucial to counter severe dehydration before complications worsen. • Maintenance Accountability: Educational institutes need to implement mandatory periodic water inspection schedules with verifiable logs to hold facility managers accountable. All storage reservoirs must be fitted with tamper-proof, secure lids to prevent animal intrusion. Why this happened The health crisis unfolded due to an absence of systematic inspection and structural lapses in securing overhead water storage reservoirs at the hostel facility. A lack of periodic maintenance allowed severe contamination to persist for days before detection. • Direct Trigger: An open, unsecured, or damaged lid on the Hostel No. 7 storage tank likely enabled the monkey to access the tank, where it drowned. The carcass remained submerged for nearly a week, creating a severe biological hazard in the shared plumbing network. • Systemic Lapses: The institution lacked a documented protocol for routine tank checks and sanitation audits across its residential units. Warning signs went unnoticed until the decomposition produced an overwhelming stench that forced residents to complain. • Remedial Measures: Campus officials and local health authorities have initiated emergency medical interventions alongside tank drainage and sterilization. Calls have intensified for comprehensive physical barriers and regular safety reviews across all campus water installations. Questions & Answers 1. Which institution and hostel witnessed this water contamination? The incident occurred in Hostel No. 7 at Assam Engineering College located in Guwahati. 2. What was discovered inside the water storage unit? An inspection revealed the decomposed carcass of a dead monkey inside the hostel's primary water storage tank. 3. How many students were affected after using the water? More than 50 hostel students developed health complications and required medical care. 4. Where were the unwell students taken for medical care? The affected students were transported to the Ayurvedic College Hospital in Jalukbari for diagnosis and treatment. 5. How was the contaminated water consumed? Students used the supply for everyday hydration, and it was also utilized by the hostel mess to prepare food. 6. For how long was the carcass believed to be inside the reservoir? The animal's body is estimated to have remained submerged in the drinking water tank for nearly a week. https://trendkia.com/en/assam/guwahati-ke-assam-engineering-college-hostala-pani-ki-tnki-men-mila-mrita-bndara-50-se-adhika-chhatra-bimara-55807 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.