BMC fails to control mosquito menace

Mumbai: Mumbaikars will continue to suffer the menace of mosquitoes this season even as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) faces challenges treating the breeding spots.

According to the BMC’s insecticide department, the breeding spots of Culex mosquitoes have multiplied due to the cold wave. “The main breeding spots are the dried storm water drains (SWDs) which are difficult to treat and unless the SWD department cleans them, it’s difficult to curtail the rising number of mosquitoes,” said R. Na-ringrekar, BMC’s insecticide officer. “However, this breed of mosquitoes does not cause any diseases and is known only for creating nuisance,” he said.

Mumbai is experiencing some of its coldest days this winter but the nuisance of mosquitoes is killing people’s sleep. “Since the last two months, the number of mosquitoes is just inc-reasing. After coming home from office, we cannot keep our windows or doors open. We regularly complain to the ward office after which the BMC staff sprays the medicines. However, there is hardly any relief,” said Ajay Shete, a resident from Chembur.

Dr Manish Deliwala, a general physician, said, “Yes, this winter there has been an increased number of mosquitoes. However, people should not fear as this breed does not cause any disease, specially malaria and dengue. It is just the drop in temperatures which is causing mosquitoes to increase. There is a rise in the number of patients with fever which is due to viral and climatic changes.”

Since the SWD department starts the clean-ing process in April, Mumbai will not face this nuisance soon.