Six cases of enteric diseases were reported from Behala as rainwater began receding. All the six persons are residents of the same locality and the condition of one is still precarious.

Among them 65-year-old Himani Bhattacharya, 18-year-old Nilanjana and 18- month-old Nishanta Bhattacharya — all from the same family — were admitted to Behala’s Vidyasagar Hospital on Friday. Their 17-year-old neighbour Rohan Kumar Chakraborty had to be shifted to Beliaghta I D Hospital as his condition worsened last night. Two more cases of enteric disease have been reported from the same locality, just opposite the house of the Bhattacharyas.

While the locals alleged that the cause of the disease was the contaminated water from the tubewell, the civic body brushed it aside, attributing the illness to food poisoning.

“We were told by the doctor who treated the Bhattacharya family that the outbreak could be the result of contaminated water,” said Parthopratim, a relative of Bhattacharyas.

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation, nevertheless, admitted the outbreak of enteric in the area.

Over 200 tubewells and taps remained submerged in water in the area. Locals alleged that despite their repeated requests, the civic body has failed to take steps to disinfect the water taps.

“This is nothing but a waterborne disease. The outbreak occurred after the family drank water from the tubewells. Neither the KMC nor the Borough 14 office has taken any initiative to deal with the aftermath of inundation,” said Anjan Das, councillor, ward number 129.

A team of medical officers from the civic body’s health department, meanwhile, reached the affected area.