Srinagar: Heavy rainfall and flooding in Jammu and Kashmir have led to a spurt in water-borne diseases. Expressing concern over the situation, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday listed the steps that his government is taking to combat the diseases.
"The threat of disease is a genuine one. It is very likely that diseases might spread from rotting carcasses. We are taking a look at it and this is something that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also said that they had developed a chemical in Gujarat that helps get rid of these water bodies quickly. We have been promised a team that knows how to use it and the chemical by the government of India. Apart from that medical help is also being given. 20 doctors arrived on Thursday and 30 will come on Friday," Omar said.
As a tragedy of epic proportions unfolded in the worst-ever floods to hit Kashmir in 109 years after heavy rains from September 2, the death toll has reached over 200. Authorities fear that the death toll is likely to be higher.
In Srinagar, the water level has gone down by about six feet but there is still substantive flooding in certain areas within the town itself, the Army said.
With flood water slowly receding in Srinagar, authorities were also bracing for potential spread of water-borne diseases like diarrhoea.
Twenty per cent of the water supply has been restored in the Valley and efforts were underway on a war footing to restore road and telecom links.
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