Nashik groundwater near Kumbh site shows high toxin levels: Report

Laboratory testing of groundwater at Ambad in Maharashtra's Nashik shows acute toxic contamination, with levels of cancer-linked hexavalent chromium 1,000 times higher than safety limits, according to the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People.

The contaminated water has caused skin and other health-related issues among residents and is also entering the Godavari river through local drains, it said.

The informal network works on issues related to rivers, communities and large-scale water infrastructure like dams.

The affected river stretch includes ghats where Kumbh Mela will soon be organised, posing a potential health risk to millions of pilgrims who will visit the city, a statement by the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) released on October 8 said.

It added: "The analysis reveals hexavalent chromium levels of 50.3 mg/L in the total chromium of 50.5 mg/L: surpassing the Bureau of Indian Standards drinking water allowable limit of 0.05 mg/L by over 1,0