15-day campaign held to prevent outbreak of water-borne diseases

A comprehensive 15-day campaign for prevention of water-borne diseases and intensification of water quality testing in flood/landslide affected areas of J&K concluded on Monday, officials said.

A spokesperson said the campaign was launched on September 4, 2025, to prevent the outbreak of water borne diseases after devastating floods in many districts of the union territory. The campaign reflects the commitment of the Jal Jeevan Mission of the Jal Shakti Department in restoring water supply infrastructure and improving service delivery to citizens.

Intensive water quality testing of samples in affected areas was carried out through district and sub-divisional lab staff of the Public Health Engineering Divisions. The main focus was to check contamination (if any) at both the source and consumer point level with at least three tests in each affected village, said officials.

Onspot testing was carried out in schools and AWCs and awareness camps were conducted for educating the children in this regard. Activities were organised in 6,486 schools and 1,940 anganwadi centres (AWCs) to spread awareness on common WASH practices, besides 5,945 AWCs in affected areas were covered, with 2,563 centres conducting activities on water safety.

According to officials, the campaign has played a vital role in ensuring safe drinking water supply, restoring damaged schemes, and creating mass awareness to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases in flood -hit areas. 20,493 water quality tests have been conducted across 2,645 villages during the campaign. 8,127 tests have been carried out in flood/landslide affected areas, and 2,205 water supply schemes have been restored, the spokesperson said.

44 announcement vehicles were engaged and awareness activities were conducted in 2,255 villages across the affected districts, he said.

“Mission Directorate JJM of Jal Shakti department remains committed to sustaining this momentum to secure public health and provide uninterrupted safe drinking water to every household under ongoing and future initiatives,” the spokesperson said.