Epidemic looms over B'caloa

by Mohammed NAALIR

People in the Batticaloa District are faced with an epidemic threat even though the flood water has receded as the low lands and the areas close to water channels have submerged during recent floods.

According to Eastern Province Health Director M. Devarajan all house wells in the Batticaloa district are being chlorinated to prevent epidemics.

Meanwhile, toilets are being constructed by the UNICEF in welfare camps in Arayampathi, Kattankudi, Manmunai North and Eravur Town Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the District.The 465 families comprising nearly 1,800 persons are staying at welfare camps.

Transport to Kalmunai Town, Navithanweli, Mandur and Baduwankarai have been severely affected as the Kittangi Thambothi is still overflowing. The transport to Baduwankarai has been adversely affected. Although Government schools re-opened last Monday and a considerable student attendance was not reported in Ampara and the Batticaloa Districts. The teachers transferred also did not report to their new stations. Batticaloa District Hindhu Congress with the support of the All Ceylon Hindhu Congress has donated relief food items worth Rs. 600,000 to flood victims in severely affected Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Batticaloa district.