The Hindu 18.11.2011
Mosquito menace goes uncontrolled in Tirunelveli
Corporation yet to begin its mosquito-control measures
The complete ceasing of mosquito-control operations within the corporation limits for the past few weeks even after northeast monsoon commenced has resulted in the spreading of vector-borne diseases in several parts of the urban civic body.
The corporation used to begin extensive mosquito-control operations in all 55 wards of the urban local body prior to the start of northeast monsoon every year and the activity would continue till the end of February. Consequently, the ‘mosquito load' will be under control to some extent.
However, this practice cannot be seen in most of the areas under the corporation limits and complaints from the residents have started reaching the officials for the past couple of weeks.
Following instructions from some officials and newly elected councillors, the mosquito-control operation is being carried out only in ‘select areas' even as other areas still remain neglected. Even the residents living in the areas surrounding Mayor's Bungalow suffer a lot due to mosquito menace.
When complaints on outbreak of vector-borne diseases in several parts of the corporation started pouring in from the public and the councillors, the urban civic body procured new equipment for fogging operations and sprinkling of anti-larval agents in the drainage channels and in the water bodies providing potential breeding ground for mosquitoes to mitigate the situation to some extent. It is learnt that most of these equipments, owing to lack of periodic maintenance, are no longer fit for use now.
“Though the corporation administration supplies the chemicals required for fogging and anti-larval operations in adequate quantity, these substances are diluted to the maximum possible extent and hence there are no desirable results. We're thinking of checking this problem,” said a senior corporation official, while conceding that the mosquito-control operation would commence soon.
