Flood victims face health epidemic in Asia

Health workers disinfected wells and distributed chlorine tablets to thousands of villagers rushing back to their homes as water levels receded sharply in flooded rivers in northern India, officials said today.

Many defied warnings by Uttar Pradesh state authorities to remain in relief camps for another day or two to ensure it was safe to return to their flood-hit homes, said LB Prasad, state director-general of health services.