Moulvibazar Flood: Over 1,800 people hit by water-borne diseases

A total of 1,802 people in 10 flood-hit unions have been affected by various waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, and skin disorders from drinking contaminated water and moving through floodwaters.

The flood waters have decreased in Moulvibazar slowly, resulting in over 100,000 people still living in waterlogged conditions.

Moulvibazar Civil Surgeon Dr Chowdhury Jalal Uddin Murshed on Wednesday said: “So far, 1,802 individuals have contracted waterborne diseases in 10 out of 67 unions, with most suffering from diarrhoea and 98 others afflicted with various other diseases. To help, 74 medical teams have been sent to the district.

"Health workers are using boats to reach and help flood victims with necessary medicines. So far, there have been no severe complications from these diseases. The situation is under control."

The district has 205 shelters across seven upazilas. In these shelters, 8,451 people have taken refuge, along with 200 livestock. To aid the flood-affected areas, 240 ten-litre bottles of clean water have been distributed. Additionally, 65,000 water purification tablets have been supplied. 

Floodwaters submerged tube wells and floating toilets in 49 unions of the district. Flood victims are now beginning to leave the shelters and return to their homes.

There were 74 medical teams active in the field. Healthcare workers are visiting flood victims’ homes to check on them and provide necessary medications.

Suruj Mia from Kauyadighi in Rajnagar upazila reported that his 8-year-old grandson, Suman Mia, suddenly developed diarrhoea. Although floodwaters have receded from their home, the surrounding areas remain flooded, making movement difficult. 

He also noted that health workers have not yet visited their haor area.

Rahima Khatun, 45, a resident near Hakaluki Haor in Juri upazila, said: “Our homes are still under water. We have to move through these floodwaters, which has caused us to develop skin diseases. Every family in the village has been affected by some disease.”

Sumaiya Aktar, 30, from the Jangirai area in the same upazila is suffering from illness. “Three out of five members of my family have contracted waterborne diseases.”