GVMC Steps Up Measures To Prevent Dengue & Malaria After Heavy Rains

Following recent heavy rains, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is actively working to prevent the spread of seasonal diseases caused by stagnant water and mosquito breeding.

14 High-Risk Areas Identified

The GVMC has identified 14 hotspots and issued caution notices regarding a possible rise in malaria and dengue cases.

The city experienced heavy rainfall due to a depression over the Bay of Bengal, recording 433.96 mm from June 1 to August 21, 13.43% above the average of 382.58 mm.

The corporation designated eight areas as high-risk for dengue: Arilova, MVP Colony Sector-9, Kodipandala Veedhi, Town Kotha Road, Ragireju Veedhi, Pydorapeta, Kapparada, and Nathayyapalem.

The remaining six areas are high-risk for malaria: Bheemunipatnam, K Gollapalem, Durga Bazaar, Reddy Resavanipalem, Reddy Tungalam, and Gopalapatnam.

The GVMC has advised residents in these areas to avoid dumping waste in open spaces, remove used coconut shells, maintain cleanliness at scrap shops, tyre shops, and streets, and participate in dry-day activities such as removing stagnant water and cleaning water plants.

Before the recent rains, the GVMC had identified 106 water stagnation spots across the city.

Dr Naresh Kumar, Chief Medical Officer of GVMC, told The Hindu, “We have reported over 150 dengue and 75 malaria cases within the GVMC limits since January. Dengue cases are high, while only two Chikungunya cases have been reported this year. We are actively monitoring high-risk areas and using AI technology to identify mosquito types. Public cooperation is essential to control these diseases.”

The corporation has initiated key strategies, including identifying fever spots based on patient history, intensifying anti-larvae measures, and conducting extensive fogging and spraying operations.

Innovative Measures to Control Mosquito Breeding

Sanitation teams are monitoring stagnant water points and clearing waterlogged areas. The GVMC is spraying canals, placing oil balls in selected water bodies to prevent mosquito breeding, and using drones to spray insecticides in some areas.

A senior health official noted that the corporation employs only 230 health workers, but it needs 700–1,000 workers to cover the entire city for anti-larvae operations.

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