JEYPORE: Torrential rains in the last few days have created serious health hazards for the residents of the tribal district.

According to reports, consumption of contaminated water has led to a spurt in cases of diarrhoea, malaria and jaundice in all the blocks. Disruption of road communication has further aggravated the situation as the victims cannot access health centres. Unofficial reports peg the number of dead so far at ten.

In view of the gravity of the situation, district collector Aurovindo Padhee convened a meeting of health officials on Friday and reviewed the health situation. He directed the officials to tackle the spread of diseases in rural areas on a war footing.

Meanwhile, three special teams have been deputed in disease prone areas with life-saving medicines. Additional CDMO Murtyunjaya Dash and other health officials visited some pockets of Jeypore and Borrigumma on Saturday and monitored health services in the tribal villages.

Talking to this paper, collector Padhee on Saturday said the situation is normal in the rain-affected areas and no death had been reported so far.

Meanwhile, the Revenue department has started distributing compensation for damaged houses in all blocks under Jeypore and Koraput sub-divisions. Official sources said, over 2000 houses were partially or fully damaged due to rains and over Rs 18 lakh were allotted to these for the purpose of compensation.