Pune: Kharadi witnessed a startling phenomenon recently—a swirling cloud of mosquitoes resembling a mini “tornado”—prompting the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to declare a health alert and launch a week-long mosquito control drive across the affected areas.
The civic body has rolled out extensive containment measures in Kharadi, Keshav Nagar, Wagholi, and Mundhwa after a sharp increase in mosquito-related complaints. According to PMC officials, the root cause of the sudden infestation is the rampant growth of water hyacinth along the Mula-Mutha river. The dense aquatic vegetation fosters ideal conditions for mosquito breeding by holding stagnant water and trapping sewage.
During the initial inspection, two mosquito swarms forming spiral patterns were observed, further raising concerns. In response, PMC teams have started spraying insecticides during the day and conducting fogging operations in the evening. Simultaneously, efforts are underway to clear the water hyacinth from the river and nearby water bodies.
An official from the PMC’s vector-borne disease control programme confirmed that a site visit revealed thick mats of water hyacinth near the Mundhwa jackwell. “These roots trap stagnant water and sewage, creating a perfect breeding ground. During the inspection, a spiral-shaped swarm of mosquitoes was spotted, highlighting the severity of the situation,” the official said.
Local residents and community leaders have called on the civic authorities to act swiftly. “With the rising summer heat accelerating mosquito breeding, this has become a public health emergency. We demand complete removal of water hyacinth and elimination of all breeding spots,” a local representative urged.
Despite the measures in place, residents continue to report intense mosquito activity in the evenings, underlining the need for aggressive and immediate intervention.
