Water storage units main breeding ground: SDMC study

NEW DELHI: A recent analysis by South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has found that waste storage units and domestic containers are the main breeding spots for mosquitoes in the city. The study was conducted by SDMC’s antimalaria operations headquarter and the public health department.

The study analysed the data of breeding site from 32 hotspot wards and also finds out the current distribution of mosquito breeding sites. According to the study, 58.5 per cent of the Aedes Larvae were found in the water storage units including drums, old buckets, jerry cans, etc., 30.2 per cent in peri-domestic units such as money plant vases, flower pots, water feeders for birds and animals, etc. Moreover, lesser amount was contributed from overhead tanks (5.4 per cent), desert coolers (3.8 per cent) and sumps (2.1 per cent).

A senior official from SDMC said that the hot spots of breeding grounds show an overlap of vulnerable spots in areas which do not have the basic infrastructure. The official also added that there is carelessness among the residents which leads to creation of breeding spots in decorative items such as flower pots, fountains, etc. He added that with a drop in temperature, there will be a decrease in the number of cases but people need to be more vigilant.