Tamil Nadu - Tirunelveli   

Outbreak of water-borne diseases suspected

Staff Reporter

Over 60 residents of Tirunelveli affected by jaundice

PAINFUL EXPERIENCE: A woman drawing drinking water from a tap put up over a drainage channel at Anna Nagar at Meenakshipuram near Tirunelveli Junction. — Photo: A. Shaikmohideen

TIRUNELVELI: Even as a significant number of families within the corporation limits are craving for regular supply of protected drinking water, many people living in and around Anna Nagar in Meenakshipuram near Tirunelveli Junction are suffering from jaundice.

In the past 45 days, more than 60 residents of Anna Nagar, Puliyanthoppu East and West Streets, Vinayagar Temple East, Middle and West Streets, were affected. As most of the public water taps at Anna Nagar are put up over drainage channels, chances of sewage mixing up with the water are high.

Replacement

"Fetching drinking water from the taps is disgusting. Several pipes found close to the channels were corroded and residents themselves had to replace them.

This may be a reason for the spread of diseases in this area," K. Gandhimathi, a resident, said.

Residents allege that even after receiving complaints and collecting water samples, no efforts were taken by the authorities concerned to check the spread of diseases.

Jaundice had started to spread again after a brief lull, they said.

A major medical camp was conducted when a similar outbreak was reported from South Bazar in Palayamkottai last March.

"We are conducting health education programmes in the affected areas. We have provided double covering to the drinking water pipes found near the channels. We have also asked our personnel to ensure that there is no stagnation of sewage near the taps," said Janaki, City Health Officer (in-charge).

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