Patiala, Sept. 8 -- Though the floodwater begins to recede across Punjab, the hardships for the flood-hit residents is far from over. The state health department has already sounded an alert over the heightened risk of disease outbreaks.

Officials of the department said potential spread of skin diseases, waterborne and foodborne diseases: dengue, cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea, and hepatitis A and E is looming large.

Consequent upon the disarrayed aftermath - lack of access to clean drinking water, unsafe food, prolonged exposure to stagnated flood water, and lack of sanitation facilities will be fuelling the risk of rapid disease transmission.

"Usual water sources are no longer safe," the advisory cautioned. Punjab health department said...