Over 40 per cent population of Poonch town is in the grip of water-borne diseases due to the supply of contaminated potable water.
The health department seems in a slumber despite an alarming rise in the number of diarrhoea, jaundice and hepatitis cases in the last 15 days. Around 20 per cent of the population is suffering from diarrhoea while the number of hepatitis cases has also gone up.

“We had sent a team of doctors to the area to collect samples. The team has given its report in which it has been found that the cause of the water-borne diseases is the supply of contaminated water,” said Director, Health Services, Jammu, Dr Sameer Matoo.
Matoo claimed that the situation was under control and there was no need to panic.

Locals, however, said the waterborne diseases were spreading fast as people were forced to drink contaminated water in the absence of clean water.

Poonch Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rahul Yadav, while admitting the spread of water-borne diseases in the town, said some emergent steps had been taken in this regard.

“Potable and clean water is being supplied to people from the source. The real problem is from the users’ side. The priority now is to ensure distribution of as many water purification tablets to the people,” he said.

“We have already served notices on 500 people in the town for violating sewage norms,” the DC said.

Courtesy: The Hindu,Dec 06,2018