A massive health hazard looms large over the areas badly hit by Sidr, as an acute shortage of drinking water resulting in diarrhoea has started to claim lives.
The first reports of diarrhoeal death came from Mathbaria upazila in Pirojpur, where two children died yesterday.

NGO workers in a number of worst-hit areas in Patuakhali and Barguna have also reported that hundreds are affected by the disease.

Barisal Divisional Health Director Mohammad Abdul Baset told The Daily Star last night: “Diarrhoea outbreak could become acute in two to four days. We assumed it inevitable after such a big disaster that destroyed so many homes and so much of the infrastructure.”

He said water purification tablets are already being distributed and another 20 lakh tablets arrive from Dhaka to Barisal today.

The areas facing the most acute drinking water crisis are in most of the inaccessible areas, where relief agencies have hardly set foot

Register At CruiseLineFans.com For Free