Jaipur Hospital ICU Flooded After Hidden Pipe Leak, Critical Patients Evacuated
Fourteen critically ill patients faced a sudden emergency at SMS Hospital in Jaipur on Monday night. A malfunction in the rooftop water tank supply system caused flooding in the intensive care unit of the trauma centre. Hospital staff acted quickly to shift all patients to safer locations.
Officials Order Immediate Safety Review
Principal Secretary of Medical Education Gayatri Rathore visited the trauma centre on Tuesday morning. She personally reviewed the situation following the flooding incident. Rathore issued clear directions to hospital administrators.
"We have ordered the creation of a comprehensive checklist," Rathore stated. "This checklist will guide daily monitoring of all technical systems including plumbing, fire safety, and electrical installations."
The secretary emphasized that any deficiencies discovered must be corrected immediately. She warned that similar incidents should not happen again. "Strict action will be taken against responsible officials and agencies if such problems recur," Rathore declared.
Hidden Pipeline Causes Unexpected Flooding
Hospital administration discovered the root cause of the flooding. Before the ICU construction, the space served as a cottage ward. Engineers had closed off a bathroom pipeline when converting the area to an ICU.
Trauma Centre In-charge B L Yadav explained the oversight. "The engineers sealed the pipeline in the bathroom but forgot to disconnect it from the rooftop water tank," Yadav revealed. "The pipe remained hidden within the wall, completely unknown to hospital staff."
The concealed pipeline suddenly developed a leak, causing water to flood the ICU area. After removing the water, cleaning crews thoroughly sanitized the ward. They conducted fumigation to prevent potential infections.
Recent History of Safety Incidents
This flooding follows another tragic incident at the same facility. In October 2025, a fire at the trauma centre claimed eight lives. The consecutive safety breaches have raised serious concerns about infrastructure maintenance.
Public Works Department engineers repaired the damage caused by the water leakage. Since water exposure and repair work could introduce infections, the hospital conducted additional fumigation in the ICU.
The intensive care unit remained non-functional throughout Tuesday. Hospital officials confirmed that normal operations should resume by Wednesday. They assured the public that patient care continues uninterrupted in alternative locations.
Comprehensive Inspection Ordered
Rathore directed officials to conduct thorough inspections of hospital systems. They must examine plumbing, fire safety, and electrical installations within the next two days. A detailed report documenting their findings must follow this inspection.
The trauma centre administration prioritized patient safety during the emergency. They arranged immediate relocation of patients to prevent any potential mortality. Hospital staff worked through the night to ensure all critical patients received proper care in their new locations.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining aging hospital infrastructure. It underscores the importance of regular system checks and proper documentation during facility modifications.
