Karnal, Aug. 30 -- With the sanitation workers' strike entering 24th day, Haryana is facing a severe sanitation and public health crisis, leaving massive piles of uncollected garbage decomposing across markets and residential areas. Health experts warned that the prolonged breakdown of civic services during the monsoon season could spark widespread outbreaks of water-borne diseases.

Ambala district epidemiologist Dr Sunil Hari said stagnant rainwater mixed with rotting garbage creates ideal breeding grounds for disease vectors. "Garbage accumulation has caused a surge in the number of flies and mosquitoes. Stagnant rainwater over and under the garbage poses a grave risk of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and diarrhoea. The...