MALKANGIRI: Diarrhoea has claimed nine lives since last month in Podia panchayat here. Its outbreak in the district has become a major concern for the State government which has been facing criticism from the Opposition Congress for failure to provide adequate health facilities in the epidemic zone of Rayagada. In the worst-affected Podia block, 86 persons have been affected by diarrhoea, followed by 51 in Korukonda, 18 in Kudmulgumma and 17 in Mathili block limits. The first death was reported from Pulimetla village under Korukonda panchayat samiti limits on August 12. The deceased has been identified as seven-year-old girl Anjali Kawasi. Besides Pullimetla, the deaths have been reported from Badliguda village under Korukonda block, Jamguda of Mathili block, Sarukbandha of Kudmul Gumma block from August till today. With the reports of six fresh cases on Wednesday, the total number of the affected people in the district has gone up to 172. Confirming the nine deaths due to diarrhoea in four blocks of the district, Chief District Medical Officer Rabindra Kumar Nath said situation was now under control in the worst-affected Podia and other blocks. Attributing contamination of drinking water sources to the outbreak, the Health Department officials admitted unless the drinking water sources are disinfected, more cases of infection cannot be ruled out.