Ludhiana, Sept. 11 -- While the polluted water of Buddha Nullah has now long receded, the locals of flood-hit Dhoka Mohalla are still forced to drink contaminated water.

As the highly polluted Nullah overflew after the torrential rains last Monday, the narrow lanes along the water body were submerged in a dark stenchy sludge. This, along with the incessant rains that continued over the week overwhelmed the sewage system in the area, according to sub-divisional officer (municipal corporation) Sandeep Sharma.

Sharma said that as the sewers are blocked, the waste water seeps into the cracks in the pipeline that carries fresh water into homes and contaminates it.

"It has been a week now that we are forced to use this contaminated water. We...