Silchar, May 28: The impact of recent floods, coupled with sudden change in weather, has wreaked havoc in several villages of Karimganj district, where a large number of residents are suffering from viral fever and diarrhoea.

The villages in which viral fever and diarrhoea have spread the most include Teghoria, Farampasha, Katargul, Bairagichak, Suprakandi, Kaliganj, Baroigram, Nayagram, Amala and a few others, all under South Karimganj constituency. Those villages were inundated after an embankment collapsed in Teghoria recently.

There are five major health centres in and around the villages, including Nilambazar primary health centre, Patharkandi primary health centre, Ramakrishnanagar primary health centre, Kaliganj mini primary health centre and Baroigram model hospital.

Around 45 to 50 villagers have been suffering from viral fever and diarrhoea since the past two days.

Speaking to The Telegraph this morning, Karimganj additional deputy commissioner Dhrubajyoti Deb said he has instructed the joint director of health services, Karimganj, to look into the matter.

Medical teams will conduct regular visits to different villages in the district, he added.

The joint director of health services, Karimganj, Krishna Kemprai (who is on leave), said she was aware of the spread of diarrhoea and viral fever.

The department officials have been directed to inspect and accordingly take steps in this regard.

She said most of the health centres in the district have shortage of medicines and other facilities.

Kingkar Paul, who is in-charge (in absence of Kemprai), said they are visiting different areas of the district to assess the situation.

Initial inspections revealed that there has somewhat been an outbreak of viral fever, especially in flood-affected villages. Some cases of diarrhoea were reported too.

"Such circumstances arise after floods because of water contamination. However, the situation in the districts is fine and no loss of life has been reported so far," he added.

The department has collected water samples from Nilambazar and nearby villages around two weeks back and laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Ecoli. A report has been sent to the state surveillance office, Guwahati.

Paul said a thorough inspection would be conducted tomorrow in Nilambazar and the neighbouring areas.

The sub-divisional medical officer of Nilambazar primary health centre, Mrinmoy Deb, said consumption of contaminated water was the main reason behind the spread of diarrhoea in the villages.

The district project manager of National Rural Health Mission, Karimganj, Hanif Mohammed, said they were keeping a strict vigil and inspecting different areas to analyse the situation.

"Recently, there were floods in villages here. Though the water has receded, the risk of germs and other contaminating/detrimental agents remains. However, the situation is under control," he added.