The continuous but clogged flow of sewage into the Vaigai through storm water drains in areas along the riverbanks is an important cause of mosquito menace.
A fine example could be a drain at Alwarpuram, located about 250 metres away from the already ill-maintained riverbed, which is spewing untreated sewage into the river through a pipeline.
This could be the cause of several diseases erupting here, J. Rajendran and P. Ganesan, residents of the area, said on Sunday.
Though dengue-causing Aedes mosquitoes bred only in freshwater, other diseases such as malaria and Japanese encephalitis were spread by mosquitoes breeding in sewage water. Fumigation was not done regularly here, the residents said. “We are repeatedly asked to clear pots, pans and overhead tanks at home by Corporation staff to prevent spread of dengue. We are willing to do it for our health. However, the authorities have failed to do their job of providing a functional underground drainage system and clearing piles of garbage accumulated here,” said Mr. Rajendran.
Residents of several areas along the banks of the Vaigai like Vaigai Colony near Meenakshipuram and Sellur echo similar concerns.
V. Krishnaveni, who lives near Saraswathi Theatre on 50 Feet Road in Sellur, said the approach towards clearing garbage and fogging was only superficial. “The Corporation employees cover the main roads but leave out bylanes. I visited the Corporation office along with several other women to bring the issue to the notice of the officials, but our complaint had gone unheard,” she said.
City Health Officer Satish Raghavan had in an interview said that all possible steps were being taken by his department to ensure eradication of water-borne diseases. However, most of the residents of the area said they could not sit outside their houses from the evening due to incessant bites of mosquitoes.
