Rajahmundry Milk Crisis: 4 Dead, Dozens Hospitalised
The death toll in a suspected milk contamination and anuria (absence of urine) incident in Rajahmundry has risen to four, triggering an intensive investigation into whether adulterated milk supplied by a local vendor caused acute kidney complications among residents.
The fatalities — all adults aged between 58 and 76 — were reported over the past 48 hours in the Chowdeshwari Nagar, Swaroop Nagar and Lalacheruvu areas after dozens began showing symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain and sudden cessation of urine output, which are indicative of renal failure. At least 12 other people remain hospitalised in private facilities, with some in critical condition, according to district officials.
Health teams have traced the affected households to milk supplied by a single unauthorised dairy vendor, Varalakshmi Milk Dairy, based in Narasapuram village, Korukonda mandal. The supplier — identified as Addala Ganeswara Rao — was taken into police custody and the dairy sealed as part of the probe. Authorities have collected milk, blood, curd and cattle samples from affected families (over 75 samples so far) and sent them to laboratories in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada for toxicological analysis; results are expected in the coming days.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu held an emergency review, announcing ₹10 lakh ex-gratia for the families of the deceased and government coverage of medical expenses for the injured. Rapid response teams have been deployed for house-to-house surveys and specialised medical camps, and officials have urged residents to consume only boiled milk while the investigation continues.
Political figures, including YSRCP leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, condemned perceived food safety lapses and called for strengthened regulatory oversight to prevent similar tragedies. Public concern remains high as forensic and post-mortem results are awaited to confirm whether adulteration is definitively responsible for the health crisis.
Source : Dairynews7x7 Feb 24th 2026 Read full story
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