HYDERABAD, May 24: The death toll from diseases caused by consumption of poisonous water in Hyderabad and adjoining areas increased as three children died on Sunday evening and on Monday.

The children were identified as one-year-old Khurram, son of Arshad, resident of Karachi; Sana, 2, daughter of Nazar, a resident of Unit No. 11, Latifabad; and two-year-old daughter of Akash Santorai, a sub-editor of daily Kawish.

Khurram died on Monday in the Civil Hospital Paediatrics ward. Sana was admitted to the Bhittai Hospital on May 21 and died on Sunday evening. The daughter of Akash Santorai died in the Ghani Hospital of Qasimabad.

Meanwhile, the Dr M.A. Kazi Institute of Chemistry which tested samples of Indus water from upstream Kotri on Monday expressed satisfaction over the quality of water. The tests were carried out by Professor Dr M.Y. Khuhawar, director of the institute, and Professor Rafique Soomro, Dean of Public Health of the LUMHS.

The report said that the quality of drinking water would improve if the supply of fresh water from the Sukkur Barrage continued. The specialists, however, cautioned that the colour of water was still slightly greenish-blue indicating presence of algae flora, a substance injurious to health. They advised people to boil water before drinking, at least for a couple of days.