KMC set to bolster anti-larvae drive in view of incoming monsoon

Kolkata: In view of the forecast of rain in Kolkata in the next 48 hours, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has decided to intensify its anti-larvae drive.

Senior KMC officials said that special cleaning drives will be held in the areas that have recorded more rainfall.

Empty plastic cups and bottles, used tyres and empty containers work as mosquito breeding grounds. Despite campaigns to create awareness against dengue and malaria, many people have a tendency to not throw used cups and bottles into waste bins.

Unused chairs and tables are kept on the rooftops of many offices, despite requests to clean them up. The civic authorities cannot clean the garbage of individual office premises and have to depend on the authorities.

"We have requested the authorities to destroy the used and broken furniture kept on the rooftops but our requests have fallen flat. The sweepers can clean the premises but cannot go and clean the rooftops," a KMC official said.

He said cooperation of all sections of people is required to keep the city free from dengue and malaria.

He said the KMC Health department teams have been kept ready and they will request people through public address systems, not to store water in containers for more than three days at a stretch.

The underground reservoirs and overhead tanks should be properly covered and no empty plastic cups, glasses and bottles should be thrown in the open.

The KMC doctors have requested people to visit clinics if they suffer from fever for three days or more.

"The examination of blood is free and if either malaria or dengue is found, medicines are given free of cost. The dengue clinics have well trained technicians and doctors," they said.