Fears of an epidemic outbreak is looming large in the aftermath of the devastating floods in Kuttanad. Health Department officials said that they were keeping a strict vigil to avoid an outbreak.
“There is a risk of outbreaks including leptospirosis and waterborne diseases. Medical officers including doctors are visiting the relief camps on a regular basis. Vulnerable people are being identified and are being provided special care. We are also educating people on precautionary measures,” Deputy District Medical Officer Jamuna Varghese told The Hindu .
Ms. Varghese added that a mass cleaning drive would be conducted in Kuttanad once the flood water receded.
“The district administration has started preparations for the cleaning drive. We hope to start it in the next two to four days,” she added.
As several health centres in the region are submerged, the Health Department has deployed mobile floating clinics. A water ambulance was also launched on Monday. Meanwhile flood water has started to recede from many areas in the region. Officials said that district administration and Horticorp had started the distribution of food grains including vegetables in boats in the worst affected areas. Public Works Minister G. Sudhakaran, Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar and Civil Supplies Minister P. Thilothaman visited relief camps and flood-hit areas on Monday. Mr. Sudhakaran said that free ration would be provided to the affected people. “The State government has done everything possible to provide relief to the people. The district administration has done a great job. The damaged Alappuzha-Changanassery (AC) Road will be refurbished,” Mr. Sudhakaran said. As many as six lakh people including 3.5 lakh people in Kuttanad have been affected by heavy rain and floods in the district. Roughly one lakh houses were damaged in the entire district. Officials said that 84,618 people of 20,576 families were residing in 271 relief camps in the district. The administration has opened 468 gruel centres in Kuttanad.
Holiday
District Collector S. Suhas has declared a holiday for all educational institutions including professional colleges in Kuttanad taluk on Tuesday.
