How Pune’s Mila Mutha River created a mosquito tornado?

A strange sight of mosquito ‘tornadoes’ has been observed in Pune, near the Mutha river. The videos, taken from Mundhwa, Keshavnagar, and Kharadi, show a huge cloud of mosquitoes spinning in the air.

The residents are terrified by the mosquito menace, which has caused many problems for them. People living in posh high-rise buildings have to stay inside and keep their balcony doors shut, while children are not allowed to go to gardens and parks because of the mosquitoes.

Mosquito tornado' causes panic

Reportedly, recent weather conditions in the city have created a favourable breeding ground for the insects. However, keeping the insects away from breeding is the best way to manage the mosquito problem. Mosquitoes breed by laying eggs in stagnant water, making it their prime breeding spot.

The increased water level in the Mula-Mutha River, particularly in Kharadi, links to the mosquito outbreak. The Pune Municipal Corporation is striving to remove excess water, but the situation still poses a challenge. The mosquito infestation affects various establishments along the riverbed, including high-rise buildings, IT parks, schools, sports stadiums, and local villages.

Speaking about the mosquito menace, Nitin, a local from Kharadi, said, "I have recently seen a lot of mosquitoes. A tornado of mosquitoes has dominated Kharadi for three or four days. This has caused a lot of problems and the locals are struggling."

Abhishek, another local from Kharadi, also spoke on the same and said, "There are a lot of mosquitoes in our area. I just requested that the Pune Corporation resolve it as quickly as possible. It is dangerous for our health."

Rising water levels in the Mula-Mutha River, particularly in the Kharadi region, have caused the surge in mosquito activity. Despite the Pune Municipal Corporation's efforts to mitigate the situation by draining excess water, the impact significantly affects establishments along the riverbank.

Mosquitoes kill most of all

Mosquitoes cause more deaths than any other animal in the world, as the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention states. They spread diseases like malaria, dengue, and yellow fever, which infect millions and kill hundreds of thousands every year.

Pune’s recent weather has made it easier for mosquitoes to multiply. To stop them, we need to stop their breeding. Mosquitoes lay eggs in still water, so we should get rid of any water that is not flowing in or near our homes.

Mosquitoes: Health concern, prevention majors

Mosquito-related issues are a serious concern for public health and well-being, as mosquitoes can transmit various diseases and cause nuisance to people. To control mosquito-related issues, it is important to follow some recommendations based on scientific evidence and best practices.

One of the key recommendations to control mosquito-related issues is to remove mosquito habitats, which are places where mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed. Mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle, so any stagnant or still water sources, such as containers, puddles, ditches, or ponds, can become potential mosquito habitats. By eliminating or treating these water sources, the number of mosquitoes can be reduced and the risk of disease transmission can be lowered.

Use structural barriers, such as window screens, bed nets, or curtains, to prevent mosquitoes from entering or biting indoors. Mosquitoes are active at different times of the day, depending on the species, and some of them, such as Aedes mosquitoes, frequently bite indoors. Structural barriers can provide physical protection from mosquito bites and reduce the exposure to mosquito-borne diseases.

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