BMC T-Ward Pest Control Department Acts Against Waterborne Diseases!
Starts Fumigation; Collects Rs 1, 11,000/- Penalty; Serves notices to 498 residents!
With incessant rains and floods wreaking havoc in many states of India and an unprecedented spike in waterborne diseases crippling lives of several Mumbaikars, the BMC has finally awoken from its slumber! According to reports, the Public Health Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has now swung into action. Both, the Solid Waste Management (SWM) and the Pest Control Departments of BMC have started destroying the mosquito breeding spots in Mulund.
It may be noted that after Mumbai witnessed its 1st dengue death in the unfortunate demise of Mulund resident Harsh Karia, the BMC T-Ward became serious in its duty to control mosquito breeding. A Pest Control Dept. official of T-Ward informing Home Times about the action plan of BMC T-Ward said, “In July, we visited around 26,824 houses in Mulund West and East and detected dengue cases at 123 places. Besides, 28,322 containers were inspected and 343 Aedes aegypti, the eggs of a mosquito that spread Dengue fever, Chikungunya, Zika fever, Mayaro and Yellow fever viruses were discovered.
Giving information on the spread of Malaria, the officer said, “Malaria is also on the rise in Mulund. Hence, our officials detected the breeding of Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit the dangerous Malaria diseases. In our hunt, our health officers inspected 126 containers and detected 4 places of Anopheles mosquitoes breeding in Mulund.”
Sharing information about fogging and the steps to control spread of diseases in Mulund, the official said, “We have done fogging at 63 places that include construction sites, clinics, theatres, garages, gyms, housing societies, parking areas, terraces of buildings, etc. However, we found maximum mosquitoes breeding in slum areas because due to scarcity of water people store water in huge containers and the deadly Aedes aegypti’s eggs mushroom in such containers having fresh water. Hence, we have done fogging at 730 slums in Mulund.”
The BMC official also informed that BMC T-Ward has served 137 notices (In July) to people regarding mosquitoes breeding in their houses and collected Rs 1, 11,000/- as penalty from January to June 2019.
He said, “Every year, we serve notices to people and ask them to remove water containers in their premises, plants in balconies and clean AC trays to prevent mushrooming of Aedes aegypti’s eggs. But, surprisingly, many residents challenge us in court. This year, we have served 498 notices. Out of these, 43 people are fighting against us in court!” ”
Informing about July, the official said, “In July, we have collected 49,000/- as a penalty. As regards legal notices, we have served 137 notices and 26 cases are being fought in court. In contrast, last year, we had just 9 cases in court. Sadly, the number has increased by more than 200%!
