Stagnant water spurs dengue fear | Lucknow News
Lucknow: Recent rainfall in city has left behind stagnant water at several localities, creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes and heightening fears of outbreak of vector-borne diseases.So far, 144 dengue cases have been reported in the city, including 30 in the past 15 days. Residents fear numbers could rise further as conditions remain highly conducive for mosquito breeding. A TOI reality check in localities like Gomtinagar, Indiranagar, Aashiana, Jankipuram, Sitapur Road, Kanpur Road, Balaganj, Thakurganj, Chowk and Faizullahganj found residents struggling with waterlogging. In Jankipuram Extension, locals complained that vacant, unmaintained plots have turned into permanent pools of stagnant water.“These plots remain waterlogged for months. It has become a mosquito farm,” said a local Ramesh Yadav. At Lucknow University’s old campus, students said their daily routine has been disrupted. “Waterlogging is visible across the campus. Mosquitoes have increased, there’s a foul smell, and even our playgrounds are submerged,” said a student Pranjal Tripathi. Near Bun Matar Crossing (Daliganj), shopkeepers alleged civic negligence.“The LMC itself dumps garbage here. When it rains, the filth mixes with water, raising stink and mosquito menace. Customers avoid my shop. When I complained, officials told me to move my shop instead,” said Mohammad Akram. In Vishwas Khand 2, Gomti Nagar, ongoing sewer construction has worsened the problem. “Since the work began, waterlogging hasn’t stopped. The last defogging I saw was in July,” said shopkeeper Rajesh Patel. “Every time it rains, water stagnates for days. It becomes impossible to walk, and mosquitoes multiply overnight,” said Seema Verma, a homemaker near Ramadhin Singh College. Similar complaints came from Faizullahganj and Thakurganj. Residents allege the LMC has failed to conduct regular anti-larvae spraying and fogging, and they are demanding immediate drainage and mosquito-control measures to avert a looming public health crisis. Additional municipal commissioner Lalit Srivastava said mosquito-control activities are being carried out regularly in every ward, but rain often hinders fogging and anti-larvae drives. “Fogging is not effective during rainfall, which is why sometimes the drive gets delayed. However, we are ensuring that mosquito-control activities are conducted wherever required. If any area is left, it will be covered,” he added.
