The incidents of a community suffering from waterborne diseases is increasing in South Asia and the valley of Kashmir is no exception. Waterborne diseases occur frequently in areas where people feel that drinking water from a particular running source is always clean while science has proven otherwise time and again. Recently in Kerala, a brain-eating microbe was discovered in kids who has bathed in a pond of the village. This pond was frequently used by the elders of the village and never ever anyone reported of any diseases. Times are changing as must our approach in dealing with such things. Given the rise in population and tourism-related activities, no water body can be considered to be absolutely clean. Drinking water without boiling is an open risk.
In Qazigund village at least 15 persons have been affected by a gastroenteritis outbreak in Kewa village. This is one of the worst outbreaks of gastroenteritis in the southern district of Anantnag. We must be thankful to the Chief Medical Officer Kulgam who is personally monitoring the situation. A week ago there was another outbreak in a different village of South Kashmir. Since South Kashmir is the main source of majority of the river sources one would expect good quality of water flow from these sources. In fact the villages of South Kashmir should have the lowest pollution in as far as the water bodies are concerned given that they are closest to the source.
Gastroenteritis is a seasonal outbreak due to the heatwave. People have to boil water for almost twenty minutes before use and keep the environment neat and clean, especially water bodies. There needs to be continuous testing of the water supply in the area, and further water samples from tube wells need to be sent.
People have a right to clean drinking water. It is the basic right of all citizens in a democracy. There must be a black and white transparency maintained to this end.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha must personally intervene in the matter to ensure that people of this area get clean drinking water and samples from all water tests are tested to wars off further dangers of an outbreak.
