Public health risks rise after flood damages thousands of tube wells, toilets in Ctg
According to the Civil Surgeon Office, 112 medical camps and 32 mobile medical teams treated 45,200 flood-affected people
Highlights:
- 19,961 tube wells damaged in three worst-hit upazilas
- 5,694 toilets destroyed, raising sanitation concerns
- 81 health facilities affected across Chattogram district
- Skin diseases surging as floodwaters recede
- Tk81 crore needed to restore damaged tube wells
- 45,200 people treated through camps and mobile teams
Recent flooding triggered by heavy rain, hill runoff and landslides has damaged nearly 20,000 tube wells and 5,694 toilets in Chattogram's Banshkhali, Satkania and Chandanaish upazilas, raising fears of a public health crisis as waterborne and skin diseases spread.
According to the Department of Public Health Engineering, 19,961 tube wells were damaged in the three worst-affected upazilas, while 81 health facilities across the district also suffered flood damage. Although floodwaters have started receding, skin diseases are increasing in the affected areas.
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Public health experts warned that distributing water purification tablets alone would not be enough. They stressed the need for alternative safe water supplies, improved sanitation and stronger disease surveillance to prevent outbreaks of diarrhoea, cholera and other waterborne illnesses.
Dr Sushanta Barua, member secretary of the Chattogram Public Health Rights Protection Committee, said nearly 20,000 tube wells and about 6,000 toilets had been damaged according to official estimates, leaving thousands exposed to health risks.
Civil Surgeon Office data show that 31 health facilities were damaged in Satkania, 17 in Banshkhali and six in Chandanaish. Other affected upazilas include Anwara, Lohagara, Fatikchhari, Sandwip, Raozan, Sitakunda, and Karnaphuli.
Public Health Engineering data indicate that 12,110 tube wells suffered complete damage, while 7,851 experienced partial damage. Restoring the fully damaged tube wells will require around Tk73 crore, while repairing the partially damaged ones will need another Tk8 crore.
Banshkhali recorded the highest damage, with 8,026 tube wells and 2,472 toilets affected across 14 unions. Satkania reported damage to 7,127 tube wells and 2,156 toilets, while Chandanaish recorded 4,808 damaged tube wells and 1,066 damaged toilets.
Public Health Engineering Executive Engineer Palash Chandra Das said ensuring safe drinking water and preventing waterborne diseases remained the agency's top priority. Around 600,000 water purification tablets have already been distributed, while damage assessments have been sent to the ministry for funding.
The department is also considering raising the platforms of new tube wells to reduce future flood damage, as floodwaters often submerge tube-well heads, allowing mud and silt to enter and permanently damage them.
According to the Civil Surgeon Office, 112 medical camps and 32 mobile medical teams treated 45,200 flood-affected people. Authorities distributed 77,500 oral saline packets, 65,900 water purification tablets, 85,100 paracetamol tablets and 23,750 antihistamine tablets. Treatment was also provided to 118 snakebite victims, while 800 vials of antivenom remain stocked in district health facilities.
In Banshkhali, 16 community clinics and one sub-centre remained closed after being inundated. Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Nazma Akter said 30-40% of current patients were suffering from skin diseases, while diarrhoea cases had also increased. The upazila treated 22-24 snakebite victims during and after the floods.
In Satkania, more than 6,000 people received treatment through medical camps and mobile teams. Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Amit Dey said around half of them were suffering from skin diseases, including deep fungal infections caused by prolonged exposure to floodwater. The upazila has treated 11 snakebite patients and continues to admit 10-12 diarrhoea patients daily.
In Chandanaish, diarrhoea remains under control, but skin diseases are on the rise. Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Reshmi Chakma said about 30 skin disease patients were seeking treatment daily, while cases of fever and respiratory illness had also risen slightly.
Health and Public Health Engineering officials said the shortage of safe drinking water and the growing prevalence of skin diseases remain the biggest concerns after the floods. They emphasised the need for rapid repair of damaged tube wells, continued medical camps and expanded access to safe water.
