RANGPUR, Apr 06: Sufferings of the Rangpur city dwellers have mounted as mosquito menace has increased alarmingly.
Around 1.0 million city residents are suffering much due to the menace of mosquitoes but the city corporation authority has only three fogger machines to combat the adverse circumstances.
A good number of residents alleged that city's mosquito population is on the rise but the city corporation is doing little to tackle the situation.
Menace of mosquitoes is acute almost everywhere including houses, offices, educational institutions, markets, railway stations and bus terminals, sources alleged.
Lack of regular anti-mosquito drives by the city corporation authority has led mosquitoes to breed freely in different parts of the city, dwellers alleged.
The city dwellers including children and elderly people are suffering much owing to mosquito bites. Besides, HSC examinees are suffering a lot as their studies are severely hampered on account of mosquito menace.
Rokeya Pervin, a housewife of Jummapara area in the city told the FE that it has become difficult for them to even stay inside their house during day time or in the evenings for the mosquitoes. They are compelled to use mosquito nets at night or even at day time to get rid of mosquitoes.
"My son, an HSC candidate, has to study sitting under a mosquito net as it is impossible for him to sit on study table due to mosquito bites," she further said.
Md. Shahid, a resident of Gomostapara area in the city said, "Mosquitoes are disturbing us as well as our children, doctors prohibited us to use mosquito coils, so we are using mosquito curtain even during day time in order to protect ourselves from diseases."
A number of residents alleged that the situation has turned worse owing to the awful condition of the Shyamasundari canal. The canal is the main outlet that connects all the drains in the city.
Owing to frequent dumping of waste and a lack of maintenance, the century-old canal has turned into a suitable place for mosquito breeding. They alleged many drains have turned into big breeding grounds of mosquitoes as city corporation employees do not clean those regularly. Moreover, garbage remains piled up in many areas of the city without being disposed of properly which are also congenial habitats for mosquitoes, inhabitants alleged.
Mayor of Rangpur City Corporation Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa said presently, anti-mosquito drive is going on in 15 wards out of 33 wards under the city corporation. Gradually, the drives will also be conducted in rest of the wards, he also said.
The mayor said they are trying their level best to keep the Shyamasundari canal clean which is a fertile ground for mosquito breeding. A large amount of money is required for the renovation work of Shyamasundari canal, he said.
They have already sent a project proposal to the ministry in this regard, he added.
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