How can poorly managed landfills contribute to typhoid and cholera in India?

Poorly managed landfills in India contribute to the spread of typhoid and cholera primarily by creating environments that facilitate the transmission of disease.1

In many Indian cities, inefficient waste treatment and high population density lead to the accumulation of massive, unregulated piles of refuse. These sites serve as breeding grounds for rodents and flies, which act as vectors for spreading infectious diseases to surrounding communities. Furthermore, the lack of proper containment in these landfills allows for the production of leachate—a contaminated liquid generated by decomposing waste—which can seep into and pollute local groundwater reserves. When this contaminated water is accessed for human use, it poses a direct threat to public health by facilitating the spread of waterborne illnesses.12

Addressing these risks is a matter of fundamental ethical importance, as the failure to manage waste effectively disproportionately harms vulnerable populations living near disposal sites, compromising their right to a safe and healthy environment.32