Incidentally in 1994, plague broke out after the floods. This time around the gravity of the situation is much more. SMC officials claim they have sufficient stock of medicine. Deputy commissioner of health and hospital Dr I C Patel claims he is fully prepared to tackle the situation and rules out any chance of epidemic breaking out.

SMC officials, meanwhile, are distributing chlorine tablets in the relief camps. The camps are being cleaned and spray has been done over all the six SMC zones to prevent malaria.

But according to Dr Pradeep Gupta, associate professor of Government Medical College, Surat, two days after the water starts receding there is every every possibility of gastroenteritis spreading out. After 20 days cases of malaria are also feared along with cases of jaundice, cholera and typhoid after one month. Even senior health officials admit that gastro and malaria might breakout.

According to JDA president Dr Pritu Dhalaria there are even chances of communicable diseases like plague breaking out. But SMC officials say the priority now is to supply chlorinated water, food and medicines to the people. They say after water starts receding their top most priority would be to clean the city. Insecticides bleaching power will be used and extra work force will be hired for the work.

R R Varsani, deputy municipal commissioner of Ahmedabad, who is considered an old hand at handling relief operations during calamities, arrived in Surat on Thursday morning and visited all relief camps in the city.