Oct 06, Kathmandu - Due to incessant rains, floods, landslides and inundation have caused extensive damage to life and property in various parts of the country. The daily lives of the people affected by the post-rain disaster have become chaotic. Experts have urged the general public to take precautions as water-borne diseases can spread during disasters.

According to experts, the risk of water-borne diseases increases if safe drinking water and sanitation measures are not adopted during the rainy season. Especially diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, pneumonia, colds, typhoid and other infectious diseases can cause loss of life and property. Experts suggest that water should be boiled or purified using chlorine to prevent these diseases.

Dr. Bhakta Bahadur KC, Information Officer at the Ministry of Health and Population, says that special attention should be paid to drinking water and sanitation during disasters. According to him, problems can arise in the drinking water system after any disaster, especially floods and landslides, and in such a situation, there is a possibility of sewage mixing with the drinking water source, which can spread water-borne diseases like diarrhea and cholera due to consumption of dirty water.

"It is necessary to ensure that the water used for drinking and cooking is clean and potable. It is advisable to drink water only after boiling it or using chlorine solution-tablets," he said.