Kerala - Kochi   

Mosquito menace continues unabated

KOCHI: Mosquitoes are giving sleepless nights to the residents of Kochi. With weather conditions turning favourable for mosquitoes to breed, the menace is assuming bigger proportions. The sunny days and chilly evenings are considered to be suitable for this.

The civic authorities have swung into action to control the mosquito population in the wake of increased public pressure.

Directions have been issued to use biolarvicides in all the 22 health divisions of the Kochi Corporation. A meeting of the Health Inspectors of the Corporation was convened last week in this regard, said N.A. Mani, chairman of the Health Standing Committee of the Kochi Corporation. The Corporation had recently purchased 1000 litres of biolarvicides to be used for the anti-mosquito operations.

The chemical will be used during two alternate weeks in each drain. This is to prevent the possibility of the mosquito eggs from getting hatched. The effect of one course of biolarvicide will last for nearly one week, explained Mr. Mani.

The Corporation has allotted Rs.10,000 each to all the divisions for cleaning smaller drains. This step is being taken for preventing the breeding of mosquitoes in drains. The Corporation councillors will personally monitor and lead the operations, Mr. Mani said.

The civic authorities plan to release more funds for cleaning the drains in its jurisdiction. All the divisions will be allotted Rs.25,000 on January 1, 2008. This will be flowed by an additional support of Rs.25,000 each, he said.

“Defects in some fogging machines had affected operations in some divisions. However, Corporation workers have been asked to carry out fogging using hand-held machines,” he said.

The flushing of drains using saline water is another method that will be employed by the authorities.

The flushing operations will be carried out once the blocks and refuse are removed, said the chairman.

The Corporation has issued directions to its staff engaged in the mosquito control operations to complete the task by the month end.

The civic body has also been enlisting the service of all the personnel for the operations, he said.

Though the civic authorities have been spending considerable amounts each year for anti-mosquito operations, the only difference one feels is the varying level of attack by the mosquitoes.

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