Efforts to contain diseases post-flood in Orissa
Bhubaneswar, Sept 29: With the possibility of epidemic looming large after the flood waters receded in Orissa, the focus was now on health sector and reconstruction works in the 19 affected districts, official sources said.

Of the total over 42 lakh population affected in the recent floods, the government today claimed to have provided basic treatment to as many as 1,37,000 people so far.

"As many as 512 medical relief centres are functioning in affected areas besides deployment of 152 mobile medical units," said Health secretary Anu Garg.

While 49 persons were treated for snake bite, 52,26,966 halogen tablets were distributed among the people, Garg said adding that 2,32,370 packs of ORS were distributed.

According to revenue department sources, the number of persons killed in the flood remained at 68 while number of embankments breaches were 477, the highest ever breaches in the state.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who made a visit to Bolangir district in western parts of the state, assured the farmers that the government would take care of their needs during the next Rabi crop as Kharif crop was damaged in the floods.

While 1,69,108 houses were damaged in the floods, 4,78,387 hectare of crop area were completely ruined.