The residents of the coastal areas of Puthiyathura and Pulluvila have demanded that they be provided uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water so that they are saved from the annual episodes of water-borne diseases.
At a meeting of the local people, representatives of local bodies, KWA, PWD, Health and Revenue officials called at Pulluvila by Jameela Prakasam, MLA, local residents said they wanted a perennial solution to the conditions that left them vulnerable to infectious diseases.
Provision of safe drinking water in tanker lorries helped at a time when people were falling sick but unless they had access to safe drinking water throughout the year, they would be living in fear of disease outbreaks. Also, pit latrines were a cause for the contamination of the wells in the areas. The local people also said sewage treatment plants, at least one for a panchayat, was required in the coastal area to prevent contamination of ground water.
Ms. Prakasam said she had already written to the Chief Minister pointing out the need for a proper and scientific sewage treatment facility in the coastal areas.
The activities launched by the Health department to contain the spread of cholera were reviewed at the meeting. On Friday, only one case of diarrhoea was reported in the area. So far, two cases of cholera have been confirmed while 21 others with symptoms of diarrhoea were treated as suspected cholera cases.
Health officials said after fresh water began to be supplied in the locality, the situation had improved a lot. It was also decided to station a 108 ambulance in the locality to tackle emergencies.
A control room had been opened under the District Medical Officer to monitor the situation and to supervise the preventive measures being adopted in the locality.
