Authorities have detected germs that cause diseases like diarrhoea and cholera in drinking water samples collected from rural and city areas in Banke district.

Microbiologist Khagendra KC of the National Public Health Laboratory said they found the germs in water collected from tubewells and water pipelines. The laboratory said the germs were detected in 12 of the samples collected from 20 areas. The samples were sent for testing on November 5 to 8.

“Water in the (12) areas is not suitable for drinking,” KC said.