Bhubaneswar: With the horror of Covid still prevalent in Bhubaneswar, dengue has been spreading its tentacles in all 67 wards of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) limits. Dengue cases are being reported from several market areas turning them into hotspots.
According to a source, more than 50 dengue cases are being reported in the city every day. Official data suggests that the total number of cases now stand close to 2,000. The actual number of cases could be much higher, experts said.
Dengue initially spread from house to house in areas such as Sailashree Vihar, Neeladri Vihar, Chandrasekharpur and Nayapally. Later, the effects were felt in other parts of the city such as Old Town, Rasulgarh, Badagada and Laxmisagar, including Unit IV, Unit IX, Unit VI and Unit V areas.
Besides, dengue cases are rising in MLA Colony and Bhaumnagar market (Unit-4 fish market) as well. These areas have now turned into dengue hotspots.
Standing water is accumulating in various places of these markets for a long time while the dustbins remain uncleaned. More than 50 people have been detected with dengue from these areas in the last 15 days.
Locals have blamed BMC for inaction.
“Dengue is no longer confined to slums. It has now entered high profile areas including the MLA Colony. More than three employees from the office of an MLA including his Personal Secretary have been affected,” a local leader pointed out.
BMC missing in action
While Bhubaneswar has been struggling with sanitation-related issues for the past two years, BMC is still after Covid and has been ignoring dengue since the beginning. On the other hand, the city’s major canals have been forcibly occupied and the land has been inundated with sewage for a long time. Canals in various areas, especially those under encroachment have now become a major reason behind the exponential rise in dengue cases. BMC has been informed several times in this regard. Bhubaneswar BJP president Babu Singh said the city administration is in a state of disarray and no one is listening to public grievances.
No bleaching or smoking
The BMC’s health department is not taking necessary steps in handling the situation. Usage of bleaching powder, fogger machines and pouring mosquito-killing oil in drains are not being done extensively leading to fresh breeding grounds for mosquitoes, many rued.
