Bloodsuckers on the prowl

In Okhla Vihar, mosquitoes breed in stagnant pools formed by debris

Delhi has already seen 13 registered malaria cases of the season. The problem is also brewing in Okhla Vihar due to unabated construction which blocks the drains resulting in pools of stagnated water, ideal for mosquitoes to breed.

Illegal construction has been  on in the area for the past few years. In absence of any regulation, there is no accountability to remove  post-construction debris or follow norms to ensure cleanliness in the area.

This has led to an enormous increase in mosquitoes which in return cause severe health problems.

The government registries do not show higher incidents of malaria, dengue or chikungunya  – all caused by mosquitoes – in Okhla Vihar.

Cases increased

However, the local doctors confirmed that the number of cases per year has definitely increased.

The government maintains records from its own hospitals and private institutes which voluntarily report the cases.

A large number of cases treated by local doctors and clinics do not make it to the records ever.

"My family is staying in Okhla Vihar for six years. We have witnessed an increase in the number of malaria and dengue cases over the years," said Zahid Hussain.

It is not only during construction that the nearby residents face stagnation of water and collection of garbage. 

The misery continues for years to come.

“The builders have not removed debris from the road for more than a year. We had to put a netted door at the entrance of our house to prevent mosquitoes from entering," said Kamal Hasan.

Hussain said the family uses mosquito repellants on a daily basis but not to much success.

"There are so many mosquitoes, how will repellants help?"

A pool of dirty water near Okhla Patti which used to be clean water lake earlier, is another breeding ground for mosquitoes.

“Till seven years ago we used to play in that water. The bottom could be seen, the water was so clear. Now its dirty with infectious weeds," said Mushtaq Ali, a teenager.

He added that there are families in which all the members were infected last year. He also contacted malaria.

“We try to create awareness regarding malaria through creative means because it has become a big problem here,” said Aseem Asha Usman, founder of Flying Birds of India, an organisation encouraging children to speak through audio-visual media.

A private company recently launched an anti-malaria drug.

There is also talk of the mosquitoes developing resistance against the existing drugs.

The government has an effective campaign against mosquito-borne diseases. 

It sprays chemicals to kill mosquitoes. But it would fail to produce results where the outside environment is not clean and healthy.

"We ask people to put oil in stagnated water in their houses. But we cannot do anything about the construction that leads to blockage of drains. 

“Most of the construction in this area is illegal. Some other government agency has to look into the matter," said Dr N K Yadav, medical health officer, municipal corporation of Delhi.