Karapur enters Day 37 of mega project protest

Panaji: In addition to the danger of heat strokes during the extreme heat, the directorate of health services has also cautioned people against taking respite from the heat by swimming in ponds, springs and other water bodies with stagnant water, where they could risk contracting leptospirosis.State epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betodkar said the leptospira bacteria can enter one’s body through a cut in skin or through mucus membranes of eyes, nose and mouth.He advised against swimming in such water bodies and consuming the water without boiling, as this water could be visited by rodents at night to drink water. Rodents pass the leptospira bacteria through their urine.“If the water body doesn’t have flowing water, people should not enter such water bodies or drink this water. We also get cases of leptospirosis from farmers, especially those working in rice fields,” he said.He also asked the public to be cautious about fever with rash, chicken pox and measles, which is seen in higher incidence during extreme summers.He advised anyone who gets infected with chicken pox to immediately isolate themselves and get checked by a doctor. “Isolation is required till the last postule dries out completely, as until such time the disease can still be transmitted,” he said.During this extreme hot weather, health centres have been instructed to educate people about staying hydrated and stay cautious of symptoms related to heat strokes. “One may not get a complete heat stroke but may faint, experience dizziness, headaches etc. It is important to stay hydrated,” he said.Bicholim: The indefinite agitation by Karapur locals against the ongoing work of a mega project entered the 37th day on Monday. Locals have accused the panchayat and the state administration of not initiating any concrete action to issue stop work notice against the mega project.The residents fear that natural water bodies will be exhausted in the village once the project takes shape and have accused govt for not initiating any action until now. Gauresh Ghadi, a local, said it does not seem that the panchayat has any will to stop the project work as they have not given the stop work notice, despite their assurance at the recent gram sabha.Ghadi said about 450-500 locals had signed a resolution that the Karapur-Sarvan panchayat shall immediately issue stop work orders for all ongoing and approved works and also issue show cause notices on why the permissions granted should not be revoked.The locals carried out a morcha to the panchayat office, but the officials could not give satisfactory replies. Police force was also deployed near the panchayat.