Musavirr Wani URI, July 24: Three years down the line since the killer quake hit Uri and its adjacent villages almost 75 percent people face gastroenteritis or psychiatric problems. After visiting several villages of Uri different people narrated different tales. In some cases either people face gastroenteritis or psychiatric problems. But overall almost 85 percent youngsters are caught up. While talking to The Kashmir times Shahzad of Salamabad said, "I feel as these mountains have come closer to our house. I still remember these mountains seemed like they were boiling. Almost every one of us takes anti- anxiety drugs here. Women as well as males and even children. My nephew Zahid can not sleep alone and as prescribed by doctor we provide him the drug'. In a survey performed by some agricultural graduates almost 65 percent families showed high medicinal expenditures. Study revealed that either the family members were facing psychiatric or gastroenteritis problems. Abdul Manan Khan of Uri main town also complained about gastrointestinal problems and added that all the family members face the similar problems. While talking to The Kashmir Times Dr Mushtaq Margoob Psychiatrist said, "Actually all those people do not get proper care and help to come out of the shock which has totally changed their world. Findings available so far regarding the mental health effects of disasters reveal that the majority of persons exposed do well, suffering only from mild transitory symptoms, but a detailed research about the sizeable proportion of survivors who develop psychiatric morbidity after disaster exposure is certainly warranted taking all the risk detriments and vulnerability into consideration'. He also added, "The emerging evidence that the loss to the individuals and the destruction of the community are inter-connected, with worse outcome in persons belonging to the communities with severe destruction and suffering severe personal losses, additionally reinforces the need. The observations made so far while dealing with their trauma are likely to guide us better in understanding the needs and appropriate methods of service delivery for Kashmir earth quake survivors who are a part of the same socio-cultural system, traumatised by a natural disaster'. Dr. Mushtaq averred that psychiatric morbidity in disasters victims is as prevalent and persistent here, as elsewhere in world, with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) forming the predominant diagnosis. There is need for further longitudinal studies to evaluate post disaster psychopathology. modes of intervention need to be evaluated and standardized according to local needs of the population. In addition the physical rehabilitation, it is extremely important to limit the further development of psychopathology. Few months back a central team of public health specialists was sent to Uri to assess the public health measures required following the earthquake, and to assist in institution of public health measures. The reports published by the team worked under the banner of Epidemiological and environmental investigation in Tangdar block (Kupwara district) and Uri Tehsil (Baramulla district). The study revealed that 1783 cases of acute diarrhoeal disease (ADD) were reported in three days in Tangdar (population 65000). The overall attack rate was 20 percent in children under 4 years of age. Twelve cases of ADD with loose motions without blood were studied, and 11 rectal swabs and one stool sample were processed. No bacterial enteropathogens could be isolated, but three of the 12 samples yielded rotavirus antigen on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The report further added that twelve of 13 (92.3 percent) water samples, collected from various stream or tap water (spring/stream) sources, were unsatisfactory (P=0.001) using the H2S strip method compared with other sources (well/mineral water). All eight water sources in Tangdar block were unsatisfactory, indicated by blackening of H2S filter paper strips. Following the earthquake, drinking stream water or tap water without boiling or chlorination may have led to a common source water-borne outbreak of rotavirus gastroenteritis. Other contributing factors were: overcrowding; poor sanitation; open-air defecation; poor hygiene; and living in makeshift camps near streams. Person-to- person transmission may also have contributed to perpetuation of the outbreak. Following the establishment of medical camps and information, education and communication regarding the need to drink boiled water and follow safer hygienic practices, the outbreak was brought under control. Concluding, the report maintained that the earthquake in Kashmir in 2005 led to widespread contamination of drinking water sources such as stream and tap water.