Mosquito ‘Tornado’ Spotted in Kharadi: PMC Launches Containment Drive
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Unchecked water hyacinth growth in Mula-Mutha river blamed for mosquito swarms; residents call it a health emergency.
A rare and disturbing sighting of what appeared to be a mosquito “tornado” in Kharadi has prompted the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to initiate a week-long vector control and containment campaign. The civic body is targeting the areas of Kharadi, Keshav Nagar, Wagholi, and Mundhwa, following a spike in complaints regarding mosquito infestations.
PMC officials have attributed the sudden surge in mosquito populations to the unchecked and excessive growth of water hyacinth in the Mula-Mutha river. The thick vegetation, they say, provides ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes by trapping stagnant water and sewage. During initial containment efforts, officials reported the sighting of two small mosquito swarms forming tornado-like spirals.
In response, the PMC has started daytime insecticide spraying and other mosquito abatement measures. Fogging operations are being conducted in the evenings. The civic body is also working to clear water hyacinth from all major water bodies under its jurisdiction.
“We have proactively started containment activities in these areas to prevent a situation like last year,” said the Assistant Health Officer and head of the vector-borne diseases control programme at PMC. “I have visited the location, during which the presence of thick hyacinth growth near the Mundhwa jackwell was found. The work to remove these hyacinths started on Wednesday. The roots of the aquatic plant trap stagnant water and sewage, perfect conditions for mosquito breeding. During the visit, we also witnessed a swirling mosquito cloud like a minor ‘tornado’ of mosquitoes.”
Local residents and political representatives have raised alarms, urging the PMC to take urgent and thorough action. “This is a health emergency, especially with rising summer temperatures that accelerate mosquito breeding. We want the PMC to eliminate all breeding spots and remove the water hyacinth,” one local leader stated.
Despite ongoing efforts, residents claim that the mosquito nuisance becomes particularly unbearable in the evenings, further highlighting the need for swift intervention.
