Diarrhoea, cholera outbreak in 7 districts in Jammu & Kashmir

Recent flash floods and heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir have led to diarrhoea and cholera outbreak in at least seven districts of the state with more than 7,600 people taken ill, Jammu and Kashmir legislative council was informed today.

Rains and flash floods resulted in outbreak of diarrhoea and cholera and as many as 7,670 cases have been reported from
the seven districts, state Health minister Sham Lal Sharma
said in a written reply to a question in the council.

The highest 3,381 cases were reported from Doda district of Jammu division followed by 2691 cases from central Kashmir's Budgam district.

Ramban reported 763 cases, Kupwara 500 cases, while Baramulla, Bandipora and Pulwama registered 260, 55
and 20 cases, respectively.

"No such cases have been reported from any other district," the minister said. 

The state witnessed heavy rains and flash floods in August and September. In August, a massive flash flood devastated parts of Leh in Ladakh leaving a trail of death and destruction.

Sharma said all precautionary measures have been taken by the Health department to aware public about prevention and control of epidemics.