After the deadly wave of coronavirus, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) is now battling with the mosquito menace which has made the capital’s residents to raise eyebrows at the city authorities. Generally, the mosquito population increases during summer and monsoon because of heavy rains that generate floodwater. And places with rainwater are the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. But the city dwellers are not getting relief from the mosquito infestation even in the cold weather of December as the steps taken by the DNCC are said to be too inadequate. The DNCC authorities however claim that they are doing everything necessary to deal with the situation.
City dwellers in a number of areas under the DNCC alleged that the mosquitoes are spreading fast mainly due to the inability of the city corporation to destroy the breeding grounds of mosquitoes. People cannot control the invasion of their homes by mosquitoes with just mosquito nets, coils or electric bats. Even spraying mosquito repellent does not work as a remedy. The mosquito menace has turned worse this year compared to previous years due to the prolonged monsoon. Mosquitoes are everywhere – homes, offices, courts, educational institutions, workplaces and even moving vehicles in the city.
The DNCC allocates crores of taka every year to control the mosquito menace. It allocated Tk 110 crore for the 2021-22 FY to deal with the problem. Of the amount, Tk 45 crore was set aside to procure pesticides. Another amount of Tk 25 crore was earmarked for procuring mosquito control equipment. There is no effective role from the city authorities in containing mosquitoes except fogging on the streets which is nothing but an eyewash. The city corporations should carry out mosquito control drives throughout the year. Occasional drives are not enough in any way. The two city corporations in the capital have failed to play an effective role in curbing the menace.
