Fresh water bath after dirty Hindon dip

GHAZIABAD: Even as thousands of devotees performed religious rituals on the banks of Hindon River on the occasion of Chhath Puja on Wednesday, they were concerned about the harmful effects of water on their health.
While several people were seen taking a dip in the river, unmindful of its pollution, and a few even sipping small quantities of the water during the ceremony, some heath-conscious ones had brought buckets and tubs filled with fresh water from home.
"The water flowing through the Hindon at this time of the year comprises discharge from drains and sewers. The original water of the river, emanating from the hills, dries up near Saharanpur.
The water that flows in the river channel all through the year, as it passes through Ghaziabad, is released by the irrigation department from the Ganga canal at two points near Muzaffarnagar and Meerut, respectively. However, the Ganga canal is closed at present due to annual de-siltation work," said Vikrant Sharma of NGO Jal Biradiri (Ghaziabad).
Health experts said exposure to polluted river water can cause skin allergies, stomach and even upper respiratory tract infections.