Flood-hit areas get ors, water disinfectants

Patna, Sep 8 (UNI) In an effort to prevent the outbreak of epidemics in Bihar, NGOs and voluntary organisations have been distributing Oral Dehydration Sachets (ORS) and SAFEWAT (safe water disinfectant) in the flood-hit areas of the region.

Population Services International (PSI) and NGO 'MAA' joined hands to facilitate pure and safe drinking water in the flood-affected areas as outbreak of epidemics, especially water-borne diseases was high in the areas.

The recent flood in Bihar so far claimed over 600 lives and brought large scale devastation in its wake. Thousands of people were under the risk of water-borne diseases.

Speaking about the initiative, Senior Manager of the PSI Munish Mehrotra said realising the requirement of safe drinking water in the flood-hit areas, they were trying to visit the remote areas.

He said purity of water needed to be ensured to avoid spread of epidemics and diseases.

Dr Alok Lodh of MAA said water resources in the affected areas were likely to be contaminated, especially where people would be relying on it to meet their basic needs.

He said people had responded positively towards the project and food packets to 400 families, Safewat to 1,000 families and ORS and Neotral to 5,000 families had already been distributed.

UNI