Mosquito menace on the rise in city

Is the constant buzzing in your ear giving sleepless nights? Are you not able to keep your windows open after the sun goes down in the evening? Well, with summer on its way, mosquitoes are also becoming a regular menace for denizens. The sudden increase of mosquitoes has led vector-borne diseases affecting many people. The GHMC says it is trying to tackle the problem but fogging seems to be taking place only in selective areas.About 10 days back, GHMC officials received a complaint from residents of Ziaguda that their locality was facing severe mosquito menace. Complaints have been pouring in from many areas in the twin cities but officials have identified only Ziaguda, Chengicherla, Amberpet, RTC crossroads and Bholakpur as the worst hit.“We have instructed all circle officials to take up precautionary measures like fogging, spraying and bleaching to tackle the menace. Residents can lodge complaints in respective circle offices and we will pursue the matter,’’ said S Aleem Basha, additional commissioner (Sanitation and Health).When asked about why safety measures being taken only in posh areas, Basha said, “We do not segregate among localities for providing sanitation measures. We provide proper facilities in supplying fogging machines, bleaching material and are continuing fogging operation in all circles under GHMC limits.” Jaleel Khan, a resident of Bholakpur, however, vented his anger saying residents in their locality were suffering from diseases due to mosquito bites and even after several complaints, there was no response from GHMC officials. Meanwhile, GHMC’s urban malaria scheme has started its campaign of keeping surroundings clean to prevent breeding of mosquitoes.T Ratna Joseph, chief entomologist, GHMC said as many as 18 malaria cases were reported in January while 14 cases were reported in February from Bholakpur, Ziaguda, RTC crossroads, Amberpet and other localities. “Poor sanitation is not the single reason for increasing number of mosquitoes. Most localities are in bad shape due to water stagnation, open slaughter houses and other reasons causes which lead to breeding of mosquitoes,’’ he added. He said the mosquito population increases between January and May. “Summer days, with cool night hours are considered ideal weather for breeding of mosquitoes. Heaps of garbage in most localities are an added problem,’’ he explained. “Fogging is not the permanent solution for cutting down on mosquitoes but it somehow controls their proliferation. We found many people in localities in Circle 9 (Bholakpur, RTC crossroads) and Circle 5 (Old City) were down with diseases caused by mosquitoes,’’ Joseph said.
By Mouli Mareedu
moulimareedu@gmail.com