The Hydraulic Engineer's Department has been asked to maintain a master register of cases of water contamination, besides collecting and checking water samples from supply lines and checking the lines for leakages. So far, of the 16,903 water samples checked this year, 1,511 were found unfit for consumption.

"Since bacteria flourish in the heat, consuming over-ripe fruits and exposed food items increases the risk of contracting diseases like gastroenteritis and jaundice," said health department officials. Cases of conjunctivitis are also on the rise, they added.

The BMC water department is expected to arrange for a water tanker to supply potable water in areas where water contamination is reported. Also, the Executive Health Officer's Department has been asked to ensure that emergencystocks of medicines are maintained. The department has been directed to ensure destruction of stale food and over-ripe fruits sold by hawkers. Civic hospitals have reported 1,212 cases of gastroenteritis this year till April 15. Ten of these patients died. However, there has been a decrease in the number of cases this year. The figures last year were 2,138 gastro cases and 31 deaths. Jaundice has claimed 49 this year, while 842 have been reported affected with the disease as on April 15. Last year's 1,030 jaundice cases and 49 deaths were reported.