The Assam government sounded a health alert on Friday after waterborne diseases claimed 30 lives in the flood-ravaged state and thousands were taken ill as floodwaters began receding across the region.
"There were at least 30 deaths in the past three to four days due to waterborne diseases, mainly diarrhoea and jaundice, breaking out in several flood-hit areas," said a health department official.
"Up to 10,000 people are reported to be suffering from various ailments in relief camps," he said.
Hundreds of people are staying in makeshift shelters on highways and on raised platforms in eastern Assam's Nagaon district, 130 km from Guwahati.
"In the past three days, six people died in this relief camp due to dysentery. Army doctors have set up medical camps here," said Tarini Baishya, a village elder in Raha in Nagaon district.
The death toll in floods, landslides and disease in the northeast since flooding began mid-June has now mounted to 245, according to a government statement.
Some 12 million people were displaced in the devastating floods in the northeast. Assam alone accounts for at least 210 of the total casualties.
{{/usCountry}}Some 12 million people were displaced in the devastating floods in the northeast. Assam alone accounts for at least 210 of the total casualties.
{{/usCountry}}"The entire health department is on maximum alert. This is a challenge for us with people now suffering from various diseases. We have already fanned out medical teams across the state," said Assam Health Minister Bhumidhar Barman.
"The situation is really bad in some districts in western and northern Assam. Most of the people have been taken ill after drinking muddy water. The entire water source has been filled with mud and slush," Barman said after touring the area.
Health workers, he added, were distributing water purifying tablets and rushing medical teams in boats, while also setting up mobile clinics.
A government statement said all the 27 districts in Assam were hit by the floods, affecting a total land area of 2.85 million hectares.
"Even now, more than 50 per cent of the land area is under water although it is expected to dry up soon with rains stopping and the water levels of the rivers going down considerably over the last three to four days," said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
"Millions of people were still staying at relief camps with their homes covered with mud and slush and in some areas homes are still submerged," he said.