The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Diarrhoea cases on the rise in tribal areas

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Thursday, May 28, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Diarrhoea cases on the rise in tribal areas

Staff Reporter

Lack of supply of potable water said to be the reason

Single borewell caters to the needs of four tandas
Seepage of waste water contaminates groundwater

SANGAREDDY: Diarrhoea cases have been on the rise in the district, more particularly in tribal areas. Lack of supply of potable water was said to be main reason for this.

Over 30 cases were reported at Irkapally under Manoor mandal. Irkapalli is surrounded by four tandas – Munna Naik Tanda, Serishankar Tanda, Esakmuri Tanda and Tukaram Tanda.

The irony is that only one hand pump at Munna Naik Tanda is the source of water for residents of these tandas.

Residents of these tandas not only fetch drinking water from this source but also use the place to wash clothes, utensils and even cattle.

As a result, the area surrounding the pump is unhygienic and slushy and the waste water seeping underground led to contamination of groundwater.

‘Under control’

Same is the case with many tandas under Narayankhed and Narasapur Assembly limits.

“Water contamination is the reason for the spread of diarrhoea. We have already sent officials and are conducting medical camps. The situation is now under control,” District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) M. Govardhan Reddy said.

The departments concerned had failed to take preventive steps even though there were reports from various sources regarding short supply of drinking water during summer.

Lack of coordination was also clearly visible among different departments like rural water supply (RWS) and panchayat.

According to sources, the Panchayat Department had procured 28 bags of bleaching powder, which was yet to be distributed to the villages.

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