The three victims claimed by the disease were identified as Parkasho Devi (60), Anil Jain (46) and Fauji Dar Singh (40), all residents of Alu Godam and Teli Mandi in Ambala Cantt. Of the 35 admitted to the hospital, two were reported to be in critical condition and were referred to PGI.

Chief Medical Officer V K Sharma said a team of doctors has been sent to the affected areas. He said contaminated water supplied through underground pipes seems to be the cause of the disease.

Haryana Director General of Health Dr Avinash Sharma and Haryana Health Commissioner Navraj Sandhu also reached the civil hospital and visited the affected areas later. Dr Sharma confirmed that the patients admitted to the hospital had symptoms of cholera. She directed the CMO to take necessary measures to check the spread of the disease.

The Health Commissioner said she had issued instructions to the health authorities to take preventive measures to control the disease. Sandhu added that a team of doctors from Chandigarh would also visit the affected area to control the disease.

Later, Deputy commissioner Mohammad Shyine and local MLA D K Bansal and former MLA Anil Vij also visited the affected localities to take stock of sanitation condition. They directed the Municipal Council executive officer to get the area cleaned of garbage and also pointed out dirty drains in congested areas.

Talking to Newsline, area residents said no sanitation work has been carried out in the last four months due to which drains remained choked and sewage water started spreading on to the streets.

The DC ordered immediate demolition of old public toilets in the affected areas. He also announced Rs 10,000 as financial aid to the family of the deceased and Rs 2,000 each to those admitted in the hospital.