Untimely rain sets off alarm bells in Health Department

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 19

Untimely rainfall on Wednesday has started to haunt the Health Department. Reason: Early onset of dengue looms large.

The department has intensified their source reduction activities of dengue across the district after it rained for a couple of days.

The Indian Metrological Department had told The Tribune that the Patiala district had witnessed more than 40 mm of rainfall on Wednesday which led to stagnation of water in several parts of the district. Experts said the rainfall was unexpected and the district had not witnessed such heavy rain in April since the last five years.

The rain has set off alarm bells in the department as threat of early proliferation of dengue mosquitoes looms large, said a health official.

District Epidemiologist Dr Sumeet said, “Usually, we don’t expect such heavy rainfall in April. However, we have intensified our activities to drain out collected water.” 

Experts said if the stagnant rainwater was not dried out within a week then Aedes aegypti (dengue mosquito) would start hatching eggs. They said in order to drain out the water, cooperation of people was needed. 

Dr Sumeet said the workers had drained out rainwater from various dysfunctional water fountains in the Chotti Baradari and other areas. He  said they had already issued warning to all the government departments to drain out rainwater.

Usually, we don’t expect such heavy rainfall in April. However, we have intensified our activities to drain out collected water. The workers have drained out rainwater from various dysfunctional water fountains in the Chotti Baradari and other areas. — Dr Sumeet, District Epidemiologist