Even during the festive season, rain hasn’t let up in Kolkata. The Meteorological Department has forecast another low-pressure system forming on Ashtami, raising additional concerns about dengue. According to the Health Department, the city recorded 585 dengue cases from the beginning of the year until September 14, which rose to 662 by September 21. This means 77 people have contracted dengue in just seven days.
Although there hasn’t been continuous rainfall in the last few days, entomologists fear a spike in dengue cases due to the new rain forecast. Some Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials allege that many residents still store stagnant water despite repeated warnings, particularly in housing complexes. Festival organizers have also been criticized for negligence, a concern recently echoed by Deputy Mayor and Health Committee Chairperson Atin Ghosh.
Preventive measures taken by KMC
To prevent mosquito-borne diseases post-Durga Puja, the KMC had issued letters to Durga Puja committees on August 25, instructing them to avoid water accumulation around pandals, cover exposed bamboo tops, fill open spaces with sand, and conduct regular chemical spraying. However, officials claim about 80% of organizers are not following these guidelines, with water still found during inspections.
KMC Chief Entomologist Debashis Biswas stated, “With rainfall expected during Puja, dengue cases can rise if proper monitoring around pandals is not done.” Shashwat Basu, a key organizer from Forum for Durga Utsav, said, “We are doing everything possible and following municipal instructions where gaps exist.”
In South Kolkata, residents are storing water in fridge trays, discarded flowerpots, and rooftops, creating breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti larvae, according to KMC staff. Citizens also question the civic body’s responsibility for empty plots, roadside debris, and discarded items. KMC Commissioner Dhaval Jain reassured, “There is no shortage of civic vigilance in the prevention of dengue.’
