The spread of vector-borne and water-borne diseases is mainly attributed to poor sanitation in residential areas and most of the viral fever cases are reported in urban slums and surrounding areas.
Though the municipal bodies take measures in the monsoon to end mosquito breeding across towns and cities, the mosquito menace continues to trouble citizens due to several factors.
The major challenges faced by the civic bodies are the management of garbage and drainage system which turn into breeding grounds for mosquitoes when neglected for days.
In many panchayats and municipalities across the State, garbage is dumped in unscientific landfills or open lands adjacent to residential colonies. Even in major panchayats of Kanuru and Penamaluru close to the city, garbage is dumped in open lands and not much is done to curb the mosquito menace.
Vacant lands a threat
On the other hand, vacant lands in densely populated areas have been posing a major threat in the rainy season.
"They are inaccessible in most cases due to the presence of thick growth of plants and shrubs and uneven ground. This makes it impossible for us to even place the oil balls and spray the chemical to kill the larvae. Only after everything from the ground is repaired most vacant lands could be accessed, but the civic body cannot do it alone and the owners are elusive," an official said.
In Vijayawada, the civic body has been struggling to catch hold of the vacant land owners besides trying to repair accessible vacant lands so that rainwater doesn’t stagnate.
