BMC removes 3.8 lakh objects aiding mosquito breeding

Mumbai: Turns out people from the G-south ward comprising areas such as Worli, Prabhadevi and Lower Parel are the most negligent about anti-mosquito breeding measures. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) removed from these areas over 40,000 objects that might have aided in the breeding of mosquitoes.

In the drive conducted by the civic body from January 1 to June 30 to zero in on mosquito breeding spots in the city, officials removed 3,84,991 objects, where water could have accumulated, leading to mosquito breeding from across the city. As per civic data, the highest number of objects (40,512) were removed from the G-south ward; followed by D ward (28,471) which includes Tardeo, Girgaum and Malabar Hill; and G-north (23,991) constituted by Dadar, Mahim and Dharavi.

During the inspection carried out by civic teams, mosquitoes were found to breed mostly in wells, water storage tanks, drums, bottled water plants, artificial fountains, air conditioning trays, water coolers,  leakage of valves and water metres, uneven depressions on terraces and in basements, elevations, and odd items including tyres, thermacol, tins, cups, plastic bottles, plastic sheets etc. As the water accumulated in these items was not removed regularly, water stagnation took place, making it a breeding ground for mosquitoes to lay their larvae.

In all, 10,870 tyres were removed from across the city with the K-east ward (Andheri, Jogeshwari) topping the list with 1,493 tyres; followed by R-north ward (Borivali) and L ward (Kurla) with 1,248 and 1,211 tyres, respectively.

A senior civic official said, “Aedes Aegypti mosquito which causes dengue and Anapheles Stephensi mosquito which causes malaria, lay their larvae in clean water only. Even a spoonful of water is enough for them to lay larvae. Hence, it is important to ensure that water accumulation does not take place around your house and office.”

Impact of diseases
The recent report submitted by the civic health department stated that 21 cases of dengue, 5 cases of Leptospirosis, 356 cases of Malaria, 94 cases of hepatitis and 779 gastroenteritis were reported in civic hospitals in June 2018. Four deaths were reporte. Three deaths were reported due to Leptospirosis and on

Breeding grounds
During the inspection carried out by civic teams, mosquitoes were found to breed mostly in wells, water storage tanks, drums, bottled water plants, artificial fountains, air conditioning trays, water coolers,  leakage of valves and water metres, elevations, uneven depressions on terraces and in basements.