Zakir Azad, Camilla

Floods are increasing the health risk of sewage water-pond canal water is now monotonous in the water of all the canals. Tubewells for clean drinking water have been sunk – the source of water used for washing and bathing is the pond canal. Contaminated water is entering the house. Black foul smelling water. Therefore, there is a health risk in four flood-affected upazilas in the southern part of Cumilla.

As the flood water is stuck in the locality for a long time, outbreaks of various diseases including skin diseases, diarrhea and cholera have occurred. Children and the elderly are more at risk. The health department says medical services continue to be provided in every union. Rajapur village of Laksam upazila of Cumilla.

The village bordering Noakhali has been flooded for the past ten days. Houses and farms are all flooded. Due to the lack of clean water and safe sanitation, many diseases have appeared there. Almost everyone, young and old, is suffering from skin diseases. Some also suffer from diarrhea-cholera. Rehana Akhtar, a resident of Rajapur village, said that her 5-month-old daughter Meem had small lumps on her hands.

Now they are increasing. Everyone in the house is like this. They have been spreading since being waterlogged. No one wants to leave the house for fear of getting wet. Rakib, a resident of the same area, said, I am a daily agricultural worker. My feet are sick now. I have nothing to do – I have to work in the water because of my stomach. And it is not clear when the water will come down. Mohammad Shah Alam, the elder of the area, said that our area needs medicine now. A medical team is needed. I can’t go to any doctor because the area is waterlogged. Some are also suffering from diarrhoea. As the village is at the end of the district, relief is not reaching there. The food provided by two organizations is also inadequate. For adequate medicine and clean water, chest-high water has to be pushed far and wide.

Local volunteer Shakib said, we are collecting some relief and giving it to the local people. But it is very insufficient. We appeal to all – those who come here to help bring doctors and medicines. Meanwhile, a medical team has been sent to the village on Thursday, said Laksam Upazila Health Officer Nazia Binte Alam. He said that the government health department team is going from village to village. According to the information of the district health department, various water borne diseases are occurring in flood affected areas and shelters.

At the same time there is fear of snake bite. However, efforts are being made to provide services from each union health center and speedboat. A total of 270 teams are working in Cumilla district. Deputy Civil Surgeon of Cumilla Md. Nazmul Alam said that the diarrhea that occurs after and during the flood is a matter of danger. However, the number of diarrhea patients is still under control. But there are fears of an outbreak. We are already getting reports of waterborne scabies.

At the same time, the number of snakebite patients may also increase. We are warning everyone to drink clean water. Wash your hands with soap before eating. And go to the hospital if bitten by a snake. He also said that many of those who are in shelters are together because of which infectious diseases can spread. That’s why everyone has to be a little different. Rotten stale food should not be eaten at once. The number of people affected by flood in Comilla district is 10 lakh 26 thousand. There are about 80,000 people in shelters.