CHENNAI: As heavy rains lashed several parts of southern districts of Tamil Nadu, the state health department has urged the public in the flood affected areas to stay cautious against water borne diseases and suggested to drink only boiled water.

The department is undertaking the chlorination of drinking water and cleaning of water tanks with bleaching powder. Health minister Ma Subramanian said that the risk of water-borne diseases including diarrhoea and cholera is high in the flood impacted areas and people should ensure that they do not consume contaminated water.

He said that the state health department officials, along will civic authorities, will undertake testing and analysis of drinking water samples to ensure safe drinking water for the public.

Meanwhile, the state health department also conducted a health camp exclusively for the journalists on Thursday in Chennai.