LANDI KOTAL: The health authorities in Khyber tribal district confirmed on Wednesday four cases of dengue fever in Bara and Jamrud sub-divisions.

Dr Shafeeq, the district health officer, told journalists in Jamrud that nine-year old Arman, 20-year-old Shehryar and wife of Javed were found positive for dengue fever.

He said that another victim, wife of Zarin Khan, a resident of Bara, was also found to be affected by dengue virus. He said that medical examination of all the four dengue victims was conducted at Jamrud civil hospital. The victims were being treated at the hospital, he added.

Dr Shafeeq said that health teams were immediately sent to the affected areas. He said that health workers had also started fumigation of those localities. He said that water samples from the affected areas were also obtained and sent to laboratory for necessary tests. An awareness campaign among the local residents had also been launched with the help of local administration, he added.

WATER SHORTAGE: The residents of Khujalkhel area in Tirah valley have complained about acute shortage of drinking water despite presence of a number of natural springs in their area.

They said that they had to fetch water from natural springs, which were mostly located at a long distance from their houses. “The water is in abundance in these natural springs and very pure and safe for drinking,” they added.

Ali Man Shah, a young Khujalkhel resident, told this scribe by telephone that the administration was yet to initiate a water supply scheme in the entire Maidan area despite return of the displaced families to Tirah in early 2014.

He said that drinking water was the most sort after commodity in the area as they either they walked for miles or hired a vehicle for getting few buckets of water for their daily consumption.

Mr Shah demanded of the local administration and MNA-elect Iqbal Afridi to seriously look into the matter and provide clear drinking water to them.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2018