As the recent massive floods leave several colonies completely or partially inundated and the tap water supply lines are completely submerged, the residents of flood-affected areas are now afraid of using drinking water being supplied by the HMWS&SB fearing they might be exposed to water-borne diseases.
The concern grew further when the HMWS&SB itself started distributing chlorine tablets and bleaching powder packets by asking people to clean and disinfect their water storage sumps using bleaching powder before refilling them with the freshwater being supplied by the board.
“Following recent floods in the city and the messy situation wherein sewerage water mixed up with the freshwater supply lines in several areas, we have refrained from using tab water being supplied by the HMWS&SB. Presently, we are banking on mineral water that we are getting from nearby shops,” said Mohammed Ghouse, a resident of Aljubail Colony, Bandlaguda.
“As flood-affected people are stranded in their own houses, it becomes extremely difficult for them to get access to fresh water. People who could manage are getting mineral water from nearby areas while for others no option left to use whatever they have available with them. This poses a great risk of spreading water-borne diseases in rain-ravaged areas,” said, Kamelakar Jitender, a social activist.
“There is a great possibility that people in flood-affected areas would be exposed to waterborne and vector-borne diseases. Infections like Typhoid, Malaria Cholera, Diphtheria, Dengue, and Hepatitis may take a toll on the health of the masses. To avoid such diseases people should take precautions such as treating drinking water with chlorine tablets being supplied by HMWS&SB,” Dr. Virinchi Sharma, Psychiatrist, and Director, Manasa Hospital, Hyderabad.
As the contamination of water has raised many concerns among the residents, the authorities of HMS&SB too advise them to use the water meticulously as it leads to waterborne disease.
“People should use water by boiling it for a few minutes. Actually, there is a large possibility of water contamination and the formation of bacteria in the stored water with every change in the weather condition. People should clean their utensils as well as the sumps being used to store water before restoring freshwater. The water board is distributing bleaching powder and chlorine tablets among the residents. Formation of bacteria could be prevented by using chlorine tablets in the utensils while the bleaching powder could fend off bacterial formation in sumps,” informed Khader Mohiuddin, the General Manager-(Div-I) HMWS&SB.
