The Rajahmundry ‘Urea’ Crisis: A City in Mourning

Townhall Times, New Delhi

Reporter: Bhavika Kalra

By: Regional Investigative Desk | Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Rajahmundry is currently a city of sirens and funeral processions. What started as localized complaints about “bitter-tasting milk” on Maha Shivaratri (Feb 15) has spiraled into a lethal medical emergency. As of this evening, the death toll has officially hit four, and the wards of KIMS and the Government General Hospital are packed with elderly patients suffering from Anuria—a terrifying condition where the kidneys simply stop producing urine.

1. The Body Count: The Faces of the Tragedy

The victims aren’t just statistics; they are neighbors from Chowdeshwari Nagar, Swaroop Nagar, and Lalacheruvu.

The Deceased: Tadi Krishnaveni (75), Bhagisetti Kanaka Ratnam (76), BN Seshagirirao (72), and Radhakrishnamurthy (74).
The Clinical Nightmare: These four didn’t die of a simple stomach bug. Their blood reports showed “off-the-charts” levels of urea and serum creatinine. They died of acute renal failure because their systems couldn’t process whatever was in that milk.

2. The Investigation: The ‘Varalakshmi’ Lead

The police haven’t just “noted” the incident; they’ve launched a manhunt and made a key arrest.

The Suspect: Addala Ganeswara Rao, the operator of an unauthorized unit called Varalakshmi Milk Dairy in Narasapuram.
The operation: Rao reportedly procured milk from 46 different farmers and supplied it to over 106 households.
The Crime: While we wait for the final toxicology report from Hyderabad, the working theory is that industrial-grade Urea or Detergents were used to “stretch” the milk volume or keep it from curdling in the heat.

[Image: A technical infographic showing the biological impact of Urea on the human renal system, highlighting the rapid shutdown of the kidneys.]

3. The Political Blowout: ‘360-Degree Inquiry’

The Andhra Pradesh Assembly is vibrating with tension today.

CM Naidu’s Stance: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced a ₹10 lakh ex-gratia for each bereaved family. He didn’t mince words: “If this adulteration was intentional for profit, the crackdown will be historic.”
The Opposition: Former CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has slammed the “negligence” of the food safety department, asking why unauthorized vendors like Rao were allowed to operate under the radar for so long.

4. Ground Reality: 14 Medical Teams on the Move

As you read this, 14 medical teams are moving door-to-door in Rajahmundry.

Screening: They have screened nearly 1,000 families so far.
Dialysis Crisis: Nine patients are currently in the ICU, with two on ventilators. The hospital’s dialysis units are running 24/7 to clear the toxins from the victims’ blood.
The Most Vulnerable: While two infants (a 5-month-old and a 3-year-old) are being monitored, the toxins have hit the elderly—those above 60—the hardest.

The Status Right Now

The city is on edge. Most families have stopped buying from local unbranded vendors, and demand for packaged milk has skyrocketed. The local administration’s helpline (94940 60060) is ringing off the hook with calls from panicked residents.