No check on mosquito breeding in rainwater stagnant along roads

Amritsar, July 13

Rainwater along roadsides and on vacant plots in the city has turned into a breeding ground for mosquitoes amid the ongoing monsoon season. The city received rain yesterday. Rainwater on several roads has not drained out. The fault in level of roads and newly constructed speed breakers blocks the flow of rainwater.

Balkar Singh, a city resident, said, “The administration is running an extensive campaign to make people aware of causes of mosquito-borne diseases. Officials are asking people not to allow mosquito breeding in and around their homes, but they have not done anything to drain water from roads.”

Another resident of the Haripura area Sunil Kumar rued that, “Monsoons every year are a troublesome period for our area as most streets get waterlogged whenever it rains.” He said rainwater mixed with sewage emanated foul smell. He said commuting on streets had become difficult due to waterlogging.

Civil Surgeon Dr Sumit Singh said their teams were already working in the city and creating awareness to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases. They were spraying insecticide to kill mosquitoes, he said. He said the Health Department had also started an extensive drive to inspect private and government buildings to prevent mosquito larvae breeding.