Threat of epidemic looms over TN

Even as rain related deaths in Tamil Nadu touched 120, the state, just out of its worst rain spell for decades, is in the danger of an meeting an epidemic.

Thousands of people marooned in the floods were airlifted to safety, but the densely populated low-lying areas with stagnant flood water remains a grave threat to public health in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur.

Despite the authorities organising several medical camps, municipal corporation and health department officials are fearful of a possible dengue and malaria outbreak in the flooded areas.

Civic administration in the districts has been completely paralysed with heaps of garbage continuing to pile on the streets of Chennai, Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur, compounding the health risk.

Health officials in different parts of the flood-hit areas said the carcases of dogs and other stray animals will spread deadlier diseases if allowed to remain on the streets for longer.
A senior health worker said stagnant water could become breeding ground for mosquitoes that cause malaria and dengue.

"Right now, our priority is only to evacuate the stranded people totally and provide them drinking water and food", a team member from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) at rain-hit Mudichur in Kancheepuram district said.

Joining hands with NDRF and the Army, state government officials have so far evacuated 50,000 people in the three worst-hit districts.