TL;DR
Between 2005 and 2022, India reported more than 20.98 crore cases of major water-borne diseases, including Acute Diarrheal Disease, Cholera, Typhoid, and Viral Hepatitis, leading to over 50 thousand deaths. Acute Diarrheal Disease alone accounted for nearly 86% of all reported cases, while Typhoid contributed the second highest burden. States like West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh consistently reported the highest number of both cases and deaths.
Context
Recent news about heavy rains in Mumbai and flash floods in Uttarakhand in August 2025 has raised serious public health concerns. Such events overwhelm drainage systems, contaminate drinking water, and fuel the spread of water-borne diseases, including Acute Diarrheal Disease, Typhoid, Viral Hepatitis, and Cholera. These illnesses surge during the monsoon, when floods mix sewage with drinking supplies and weak sanitation systems fail to cope. The mix of extreme rainfall and poor infrastructure leaves millions vulnerable each year.
Who Compiles This Data?
The data on year-wise, state-wise, and gender-wise reported cases and deaths of water-borne diseases in India is compiled by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Where can I download Clean & Structured Data about the Water-borne Diseases Cases and Deaths?
Clean, structured, and ready-to-use datasets related to Year, State and Gender-wise Cases and Deaths due to Water-borne Diseases in India can be downloaded from Dataful.
Key Insights
Major Disease Burdens
Acute Diarrheal Disease is by far the most widespread, with 18.28 crore cases and 36,542 deaths, accounting for nearly 9 out of 10 water-borne disease cases reported between 2005 and 2022. Despite its prevalence, its fatality rate is relatively lower compared to other diseases. Typhoid contributed over 2.48 crore cases and 6,465 deaths, while Viral Hepatitis, though fewer in number (0.21 crore cases), caused a higher death toll of 9,980, indicating greater fatality risk. Cholera, though rare, still recorded 21,299 cases and 56 deaths, underscoring its persistence as a public health concern.
Gender Disparity in Cases
Males consistently reported higher cases than females across all major water-borne diseases. For Acute Diarrheal Disease, there were 9.52 crore male cases compared to 8.76 crore female cases. Similarly, Typhoid affected 1.33 crore males versus 1.14 crore females, while Viral Hepatitis saw 0.125 crore male cases against 0.089 crore female cases. Even in the relatively rare instances of Cholera, cases involving males (12,494) exceeded those among females (8,861). This trend indicates higher vulnerability or reporting among males, though both genders remain at substantial risk, especially during the monsoon season.
Regional Hotspots: West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh
West Bengal reported the highest burden with 3.35 crore cases and 8,345 deaths, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 2.65 crore cases and 4,362 deaths, and Uttar Pradesh with 1.76 crore cases and 7,399 deaths. These states consistently emerge as high-burden regions, largely due to a combination of high population density, recurrent flooding, and inadequate sanitation facilities, which significantly elevate the risk of water-borne diseases.
Why Does It Matter?
Water-borne diseases are both preventable and treatable, yet they continue to cause massive health and economic losses in India. Tracking their spread helps policymakers and public health agencies to:
- Identify vulnerable states and regions prone to outbreaks.
- Strengthen water and sanitation infrastructure, particularly in rural and flood-prone areas.
- Implement timely interventions during monsoons to prevent epidemics.
- Raise awareness about safe drinking water and hygiene practices.
With India’s urban and rural populations both exposed to risks, these insights are vital for building resilience against future health crises linked to contaminated water.
Key Numbers (from 2005 to 2022)
- Number of Cases reported (in lakhs):
2005: 89.95 → 2015: 149.93 → 2022: 70.05
- Number of Deaths reported:
2005: 2,655 → 2015: 2,244 → 2022: 3,177
- By Disease:
- Acute Diarrheal Disease: 18.28 crore cases | 36,542 deaths
- Typhoid: 2.48 crore cases | 6,465 deaths
- Viral Hepatitis: 21.3 lakh cases | 9,980 deaths
- Cholera: 21,299 cases | 56 deaths
- By Gender:
- Acute Diarrheal Disease: 9.52 crore males | 8.77 crore females
- Typhoid: 1.33 crore males | 1.15 crore females
- Viral Hepatitis: 12.45 lakh males | 8.94 lakh females
- Cholera: 12,494 males | 8,861 females
- Top 3 States With Most Cases and Deaths:
- West Bengal → 3.35 crore cases | 8,345 deaths
- Andhra Pradesh → 2.65 crore cases | 4,362 deaths
- Uttar Pradesh → 1.76 crore cases | 7,399 deaths
Note: Thumbnail is generated using Google’s Gemini Model
