Post Flood Scenario: Outbreak of epidemic looms large in Dibrugarh

Dibrugarh: The Dibrugarh authorities are now bracing up to deal with the post-flood scenario, with the flood situation showing a vast improvement in deluge-hit Dibrugarh district. It is to be noted that with floodwaters receding in the affected areas the likelihood of an outbreak of an epidemic looms large.

The inundation has left behind mounds of garbage and animal carcasses exposing people to serious health risks.

With drinking water sources contaminated during the flood, all the medical teams have started a water purification drive across the flood-hit areas. The hand pumps, as well as other sources of drinking water like wells, are being chlorinated and sanitized by teams of volunteers.

"In the post-flood situation, there is the fear of an outbreak of water-borne diseases due to contamination of drinking water supply. We are distributing chlorine tablets and bleaching powder among the people to prevent the outbreak of diseases. Water chlorination is also being regularly monitored at the water supply sources and people have been advised to boil water before consumption. We anticipate more cases of diarrhoea, respiratory infection, fever, allergies, insect bites and skid injuries among the people. We have stocked up adequate medicines, antibiotics, antihistamine, tetanus toxoids, etc to deal with any emergency,” a health official said.

In order to combat the outbreak of diseases, at least seven medical teams have started working in the flood-hit areas in the Dibrugarh District.

Also, the medical teams have been running health camps in the areas with special focus on those localities where the water level has started receding or has dried up.

Meanwhile, on Saturday medical camps were held in several villages like Thangaon, Jungaon, Mirigaon and Tengabari.

A helpline number 104 has also been set up in the district for medical assistance.

Health officials also fear the occurrence of Leptospirosis which is caused by exposure to water contaminated with animal urine. Four veterinary teams have also been formed to provide treatment to animals affected by the flood.

With the flood situation improving, only four villages under Dibrugarh west revenue circle are currently in the grip of the flood. In the peak of the flood as many as 102 villages were hit by the flood. The number of flood-affected people has also come down from 64,000 to 1,933 in the district. With most people having left the flood relief camps, the number of inmates in the 4 relief camps stood at 679 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Brahmaputra was flowing well below the red mark in Dibrugarh on Saturday at 104.56 metre against the danger level of 105.70 metre. Its tributary the Buridihing was flowing at 115.67 metre at Naharkatia against the danger level of 120.40 metre. In Khowang, it was flowing at 99.66 metre against the danger level of 102.11 metre.

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