Everyday, people in more areas are being attacked with the diseases, raising the number to at least 1000 yesterday.

The diseases killed two minor girls, according to sources at the District Health Department Control Room. The victims are Abia, 6, and Rokeya, 4, of Danga Para village in the Sadar Upazila.

The three worst flood affected upazilas are Nilphamari Sadar, Saidpur and Kishoreganj.

Sources at the control room said that 469 diarrhoea patients took treatment in all the government hospitals and at temporary treatment centres in the last seven days. Many others are taking treatment at home.

This correspondent during a visit to the diarrhoea ward at Nilphamari Sadar Hospital at about 1 pm yesterday saw many patients lying on corridors and floors as all the beds were occupied.

A family of four from Bangmari village in Sadar upazila was taking treatment on the floor. Day labourer Asraf Ali, 35, said he along with his wide Monowara and minor daughters Rasheda and Rumana were starving for two days as he had no work. On Sunday, they ate boiled arum root mixed with salt. Within hours the whole family was attacked with diarrohea. Neighbours brought all of them to the hospital, Asraf Ali said.

The worst diarrhoea affected villages in Sadar upazila are Polash Bari, Ramnagar, Gorgram, Chapra, Chorai Khola and Sonarai. Other affected villages are Botlagari, Golahat and Hatikhana in Saidpur; and Nitai, Magura and Rajib in Kishoreganj upazila.

The control room sources said 72 medical teams are working in the district to combat diarrhoea.

Assistant Civil Surgeon Dr. Abdul Majid said waterborne diseases like diarrhoea usually spread after flood. He further informed that there is sufficient stock of intravenous saline, oral saline, tetracycline capsule and other medicines. He however said there is nothing to be worried as the situation is under control.