Medical experts have warned that rotting corpses contaminating water sources and poor sanitation amid devastating floods in Uttarakhand could lead to a serious outbreak of diseases such as cholera and dysentery.
The floods, triggered by heavy monsoon rains more than 10 days ago, have killed at least 822 people in Uttarakhand and forced tens of thousands from their homes. Officials say the death toll may cross 1,000 and thousands are still reported missing.
Authorities have so far been focusing on rescuing thousands of pilgrims who visit the region for its sacred Hindu temples and shrines, but aid agencies, struggling to get past roads choked by landslides to local villagers, warned of another disaster unfolding in form of an outbreak of diseases.
Doctor K K Aggarwal said it was important to provide safe water, food and air to the stranded people.
"Those who are staying there, it is important for them to have safe water, safe food and safe air. If they don't get that they are going to ...(sic) into an epidemic of water and food borne diseases whether it can be diarrhoea, it can be food poisoning, it can be typhoid, it can be jaundice, it can be other communicable diseases if the air is polluted, they may get all air-borne disorders, so, that's a matter of concern at the moment. The concern should be to evacuate them from that place, bring them into base camps where they can be given shelter, where they can be given safe water and safe food," said Aggarwal.
Aid workers said that they were struggling to gain access to interior areas in the worst affected districts of Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarakashi.
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However, hospital staff have said that a health team is monitoring the situation.
"Most of the problems can be curtailed and contained if we control water and provide them with proper food. Our system will continue to survey the area and the Government of India in state consultation has sent, dispatched the health team. They are monitoring the situation," said Sanjeev Sachdeva, an associate professor at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital.
Meanwhile, Y. C. Sharma, Director General of medical and health family welfare, hoped that they would be able to control diarrhoea and other such related diseases.
"There will be chances of infection to any life form, and if the patient is not suffering from any severe ailment, then it will not harm the person. We will be able to control diarrhoea and other such related diseases," said Sharma.