Stagnant water has accumulated near the Commonwealth Games village which unless drained quickly, could end up spawning mosquitoes even as some 24 countries have written seeking information on the dengue situation.

The spread of dengue in Delhi is becoming an international concern ahead of the Games and the Organizing Committee is being asked by participating nations about measures being adopted to check dengue before athletes and delegates begin arriving for the mega sporting event.

While Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s projection that the disease will peak around the time of the Games remains a major worry, the site of the Games village next to the Yamuna riverbed could well prove to be huge embarrassment for the organizers.

Meanwhile, reports of rising dengue cases in the capital has raised the concern levels of many participating countries. In separate letters to the OC, they have enquired about the preparedness of the city in controlling dengue in the light of a large number of cases are being reported and mosquito breeding being detected at many Games sites.

More than 500 cases of Cholera have been reported so far, with North Delhi being the worst affected, according to Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) authorities.

More than 200 cases were reported in August alone, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) authorities said.

“Cases have been reported from Civil Lines, Burari, Sant Nagar, Uttaranchal Enclave, Lal Bagh, Majnu ka Tila and Mukandpur. Rohini witnessed the maximum number of cases in August. The cases reported are from the MCD’s Infectious Diseases Hospital. The actual number may be higher,” Dr K. K. Chaudhary, MCD’s deputy municipal health officer (epidemiology), said.

“Areas in North Delhi and Outer Ring Road have been the worst hit,” he added. Health authorities blamed the spread of the water- borne disease on heavy and prolonged spells of rains in August.

A total of 701.6mm rainfall has been received so far during this monsoon, 43 per cent above average. August alone recorded 444mm rainfall - the highest in 10 years. “Moreover, the affected areas that are home to unauthorised resettlement colonies have poor drinking water facilities.

People are dependent on groundwater and water supplied by tankers. This has made them prone to cholera,” Dr Chaudhary said.

According to health experts, rainwater might have mixed with water stored underground and in tanks, contaminating it with the cholera- carrying bacteria.

The experts issued a warning for East Delhi. “East Delhi’s water management is very poor. So, we are expecting an outbreak of cholera there also. But we are prepared. Our officials are on alert,” Dr V. K. Monga, chairman of MCD’s health committee, said.

“We have stocked all the hospitals with chlorine tablets and liquid. The later is very effective as it makes water potable in just 15 minutes,” Dr Chaudhary said.

The new health worry comes on the back of the spread of dengue cases in the Capital - over 900 cases have been reported so far this year.

Apart from dengue, the Capital is also battling with swine flu and eye flu. Delhi is witnessing a sharp surge in eye flu cases and doctors have warned this is likely to assume epidemic proportions.

Hospitals, dispensaries and private clinics in the Capital over the past week have seen a rise in the number of people with eye flu or conjunctivitis.

Unfinished construction, experts said, also has a role in the breeding the microorganisms that cause these infections.

City hospitals have also claimed a marked increase in cases of viral fever, gastroenteritis, jaundice and typhoid, which like cholera are water- borne diseases and have spread on the back of heavy rains.