Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions:

Supply of water to rural settlements in developing countries is not adequate. People in village, particularly in mountainous and arid areas have to walk long distances to fetch drinking water. Water borne diseases such as cholera and jaundice tend to be a common problem. The countries of South Asia face conditions of drought and flood very often. Crop cultivation sequences, in the absence of irrigation, also suffer.

The general absence of toilet and garbage disposal facilities cause health related problems.

The design and uses of building materials of houses vary from one ecological region to another. The houses made up of mud, wood and thatch, remain susceptible to damage during heavy rains and floods, and require proper maintenance every year. Most house designs are typically deficient in proper ventilation. Besides, the design of a house includes the animal shed along with its fodder store within it. This is purposely done to keep the domestic animals and their food properly protected from wild animals.

Unmetalled roads and lack of modern communication network creates a unique problem. During rainy seasons, the settlements remains cut off and pose serious difficulties in providing emergency services. It is also difficult to provide adequate health and educational infrastructure for their large rural population. The problem is particularly serious where proper villagisation has not taken place and houses are scattered over a large area.

The rural settlement of South Asian countries remain cut off during monsoon seasons because of:-

Unmetalled roads and lack of modern network

The correct answer is Option (3) → Unmetalled roads and lack of modern network

Unmetalled roads and lack of modern communication network creates a unique problem. During rainy seasons, the settlements remains cut off and pose serious difficulties in providing emergency services. It is also difficult to provide adequate health and educational infrastructure for their large rural population. The problem is particularly serious where proper villagisation has not taken place and houses are scattered over a large area.