44% of Wards in Kolkata Identified as Dengue-Prone: Survey
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Synopsis
A recent survey by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation finds that nearly 44% of wards in its jurisdiction are susceptible to dengue, with 68 wards identified as hotspots. Efforts to combat dengue include mapping high-risk areas and stricter enforcement against water stagnation.
Key Takeaways
- 44% of wards in Kolkata are dengue-prone.
- 68 wards identified as hotspots.
- Significant decline in dengue cases from 13,926 to 1,316 in 2024.
- Stricter measures against water stagnation planned.
- Collaboration with police for enforcing regulations.
Kolkata, March 25 (NationPress) A new internal assessment conducted by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) revealed on Tuesday that approximately 44% of the total wards within its jurisdiction, which encompasses Kolkata and surrounding areas, are susceptible to dengue, according to officials.
The overall count of wards managed by KMC is 144.
Based on the internal study, an insider from the corporation indicated that 68 wards are categorized as dengue-prone.
"The corporation conducted a comprehensive mapping of all 144 wards to pinpoint areas vulnerable to dengue based on historical data. The criteria used indicates that if 10 or more individuals in a specific ward tested positive for dengue last year, that ward is marked as a hotspot," a KMC official stated.
Records show that the number of individuals testing positive for dengue in the KMC area saw a remarkable drop in 2024, plummeting to 1,316 from 13,926 in 2023.
According to official statistics, during the initial three months of 2024, a total of 45 individuals in Kolkata have been diagnosed with dengue.
"This progress was accomplished due to special initiatives by KMC last year to prevent water stagnation, the use of fogging machines for chemical spraying, and imposing penalties on homeowners neglecting their responsibilities to avoid water accumulation. For the current year, the corporation is determined to maintain stringent preventive measures, which is why a detailed area-wise mapping has been undertaken," the KMC official elaborated.
The official emphasized that the corporation will adopt a stricter approach to address negligence among residents.
Initially, notices will be issued to non-compliant property owners or housing society authorities, he mentioned.
The subsequent step will involve filing FIRs against offenders, with the corporation planning to collaborate with city police for this action, the KMC official noted.
Last year, the opposition BJP, particularly Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, frequently accused the Trinamool Congress government of underreporting the actual number of dengue cases in the state, including Kolkata.
