Berhampur: Even a week after Titli and the subsequent floods, drinking water situation continues to remain grim in many parts of Ganjam.
Drinking water has become scarce mostly in rural parts of the district. People are facing drinking water crisis as most of the sources including wells and river bodies were contaminated. In many low-lying areas, stand posts and tubewells stood inundated.
Dead reptiles, insects, e-waste and garbage can be seen floating in ponds and nullahs– drinking water sources for many people.
When contacted, Ganjam Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Sadananda Mishra said health workers are creating awareness among people about purifying drinking water, maintaining hygiene in their localities to prevent mosquito breeding. They were asked to take boiled water and wash hands before eating.
On the other hand, debris lay scattered everywhere. Already, a few cases of cold, fever and gastroenteritis have been reported in Ganjam. Locals said although flood water has receded, it has left behind heaps of garbage and plastic waste in many places.
Moreover, the twin calamities not only damaged properties but have hit farmers.
Rainwater washed away crops and killed over 100 cattle and livestock of around 40 families of Gaida village under Patrapur block. With their houses damaged, villagers have taken shelter in nearby villages.
The villagers have no approach road and one has to walk for 20 km to reach the main road at Tadaka Sahi, where relief materials are being distributed. Less than 10 families have managed to collect relief.
There are similar allegations from people of villages under Sorada, Purusottampur, Chatrapur, Digapahandi and Rangeilunda and Chikiti block.
Thousands of hectares of land brought under paddy, sugarcane, banana and vegetable crops in various blocks of the district have been sand cast. Betel leaf vines worth more than Rs 50 lakh have been destroyed by the cyclone at villages under Rangeilunda block.
Similarly, mushroom and flower crops have been damaged to a large extent.
PNN