- The Guardian,
- Monday July 23 2001
Hundreds of people sought treatment from army and civilian doctors as relief workers struggled to help the more than still 500,000 marooned, although swollen rivers receded further yesterday.
In Bihar state, north of Orissa, rising rivers flooded more than 70 villages about 60 miles north-west of Patna, the state capital, and more monsoon rain was forecast.
In Orissa, where the floods have left 55 people dead and affected more than 7m people in the last 10 days, officials feared that water-borne diseases may spread.
"Up to 1,918 cases of diarrhoea and dysentery have been reported. We are expecting an increase in the coming days," a government doctor, Madanmonhan Pradhan, said.
Relief teams are treating village wells with disinfecting tablets.
The army, aided by eight air force helicopters, is helping to rush food to stranded people.
Much of the flooding was caused by the Hirakud dam, more than 185 miles upstate, being forced to release water after heavy rain in its catchment areas.
