Imagine waking up to clumps of hair on your pillow. Now, imagine this happening to hundreds of people overnight — across 15 villages. This bizarre and terrifying reality struck Buldhana, Maharashtra, affecting over 300 villagers between the ages of 4 and 70.

But it wasn’t just hair loss. People developed skin rashes, brittle nails, and extreme weakness. Panic gripped the city — schools were closed, weddings were postponed, and villagers lived in constant fear.

Many suspected that the drinking water was to blame. But when tests came back negative for poisoning, the mystery only deepened. What was causing this strange outbreak?