Diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases have affected several tea garden areas in the district even before the onset of the monsoon season. According to the Jorhat Joint Director of Health Services, the diarrhoea toll has risen to seven so far. However, unofficial sources put the figure at not less than 13. More than 20 people are already down with diarrhoea-like symptoms. The casualties have occurred at Naginijan Tea Estate under Assam Tea Corporation Limited, Rajoi under Tata Tea and the privately-owned Umabari Tea Estate. The lack of clean drinking water and basic sanitation facilities is responsible for the outbreak of gastro-enteric diseases in these areas, sources pointed out. Several cases of jaundice have also been reported from Nakachari area along Asom-Nagalnd border. Official sources said that doctors are camping in the affected areas. Medicines, saline bottles and ORS packets have been made available in the tea garden areas.