Residents of Sector 18 in Chandigarh have been living in harrowing times since past few days and the most distressing part is that the innocent people are the poor victim of the sheer negligence towards supply of clean drinking water.
The reports of high level of water contamination first came to limelight on Friday and on Saturday similar complaints were received from Sector 18 B and D too. So far, more than 400 people have taken ill and complained abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea.
What the administration is doing to nip the problem in the bud?
- A team from Chandigarh Health Department,comprising 30 field workers, including an epidemiologist, Dr Inderpal Singh, conducted surveys in Sector 18. The team also collected 16 water samples from the households surveyed for the indicator test.
- A mobile van of the department was also stationed at Sector 18-C with two doctors and 15 health workers, where patients are given instant treatment including ORS, antibiotics and zinc tablets.
- The Health Department has collected water samples from the MC tubewell located in Sector 18 and the waterworks of Sector 26 from where the water is supplied in the area. The samples were sent to the Civil Dispensary, Mani Majra, and the report will be received on Monday.
- Samples of H2S (hydrogen sulphide) has been collected to check the organic matter. The report will come after 24 hours.
- The dead end of water supply in the entire Sector 18 was flushed out again on Saturday. The sewerage lines and a manhole were also flushed. The fault had been repaired but still, the team was conducting a check in the entire sector.
Meanwhile, what measures we should take:
- Drink boiled water only. Boiled water can be stored for up to 3 days in the refrigerator in sealed and clean containers, or for 24 hours at room temperature. If you have a domestic water filter, you still must boil the water before drinking it.
- You also need to stay hydrated. You should drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day.
- Choose fruit juice without pulp, broth, or soda (without caffeine). Chicken broth (without the fat), tea with honey, and sports drinks are also good choices.
- Instead of drinking liquids with your meals, drink liquids between meals. Sip small amounts of fluids often.
- Foods that usually are well tolerated during a diarrheal illness include rice, cereal, bananas, potatoes, and lactose-free products.
Image Credits: The Tribune
Source: The Tribune
