Mosquitoes posing a health hazard

Municipal corporation's 'action plan' fails to tackle the problem

The stagnated water in Bandar canal at Yanamalakuduru locks which has become a breeding point for mosquitoes, in Vijayawada. Photo. Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar

Even as municipal corporation officials claim to be taking steps to control mosquitoes in the city, citizens are suffering from various serious health problems caused by mosquito bite.

The menace is rampant in many areas, particularly in the colonies abutting the canal bunds. Residents say that malaria is spreading on account of mosquito bite and blame the municipal officials for the situation.

Unhygienic conditions

With the irrigation officials stopping release of water to canals about 45 days ago, sewage water stagnated in the low-lying areas in Eluru, Budameru, Ryves and Bandar canals at many places. Garbage also piled at many points aggravating mosquito menace.

In Bandar canal, water has been stagnant for more than a month along the bund at Ramalingeswara Nagar, Yanamalakuduru areas and at the locks. Garbage piled up in the canal was also seen at many places.

Special teams

Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) Commissioner G. Ravi Babu who visited the canals directed the Health department staff to pump out the stagnated water from the canals and remove the garbage to prevent mosquito menace.

The Commissioner formed special teams with engineering, medical and health wings and instructed to put oil balls in water pools and take up anti-larval operations. Mr. Ravi Babu asked the staff to take up Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in the houses situated along the bund.

However, the works were not executed at many places, said the locals.

Speaking to The Hindu , V. Prasada Rao, a resident of Ramalingeswar Nagar said the water was stagnated for more than a month emanating bad smell. The officials' instructions were limited to newspapers only, but the situation has not improved in the colonies, he added.

“Heaps of polythene covers, carry bags and used tender coconut shells were left in the canal. The problem has been acute since a month. Many people were suffering with fevers in our area. We request the Health department staff clean up the canals and bunds and spray bleaching powder and fogging in the colonies'', said a woman K. Parameswari of Yanamalakuduru.