TV
The Puri district administration has ramped up efforts to supply clean drinking water while acknowledging the possibility of contaminated water in the Daya River leading to the recently reported outbreak of diarrhoea in the Kanas block.
The local population, however, claimed that the water being supplied was insufficient to meet their daily needs. Additionally, they also alleged the absence of a clean piped water supply facility in Kanas forcing them to solely rely on the Daya River.
“There is no water tank or piped water supply in the village. From washing utensils to drinking, we fetch water from the river but its contamination has now made us feel helpless as there is not enough clean water for all of us,” said Sukanti Behera, a Kanas resident.
On its part, the Puri district administration stated that the piped water supply project was near completion and it has taken serious note of the diarrhoea outbreak.
Notably, authorities have begun purification efforts at various ghats of the Daya River. Additionally, bamboo barricades have been set up to discourage people from using the river water until the situation improves. Instructions for continued surveillance and 24-hour healthcare services in the affected areas were also relayed to concerned officials.
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“The current water quality in the Daya River is poor and we are actively working towards de-contaminating it. The mega water pipeline project is also near completion and will be fully functional in about 2 to 3 months,” said Puri Collector, Siddharth Shankar Swain.
He also added that more water tankers are being dispatched with fresh water on a priority basis to aid the villagers in this time of distress.
On Sunday, several people in Kanas faced severe uneasiness and medical issues arising out of a diarrhoea outbreak following a community feast in one of the villages. Subsequently, at least 71 cases surfaced from five surrounding villages along with one confirmed fatality.
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Locals alleged that polluted water from the Gangua Canal merged with the Daya River, rendering its water completely toxic. They also claimed that the severity of contamination was such that carcasses of animals and birds could be found floating in the river.
