A canal filled with garbage in Kendrapara. Telegraph picture

Kendrapara, Feb. 26: Clogged drains have turned into an ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, resulting in an outbreak of vector-borne diseases across the district headquarters town.

With sanitation measures leaving much to be desired, the vector-borne diseases are now spreading wings in urban areas.

“There has been a complete breakdown of sanitation measures. Garbage clogs the canal water and drains. Mosquitoes are everywhere after daybreak,” said Aditya Prasad Sahu, a local resident.

The health office of the municipality is hit by staff crunch. Out of the seven sanctioned posts, three have fallen vacant.

The flogging machine has gone out of order since long. There is short supply of mosquito larvicidal oil. Besides, the municipality does not have specific budget for procuring larvicidal oil and flogging machine. Thus, it is no wonder that malarial, filarial cases and incidences of suspected dengue and chikungunya are on the rise in the township and adjoining outskirts, said the residents.

Stormwater drains and the canal passing through the town are mostly choked with polythene wastes, which clog the swift release of stagnant water. Worn-out tyres dumped by automobile shops are also breeding mosquitoes in large areas.

“Since the present municipal council took over the administration in November last, nothing has changed as far as health and hygiene is concerned in the township. Things have gone from bad to worse. People are exposed to threat of vector-borne diseases because of dumping of wastes and garbage in public places. Angry residents have taken up the matter with the civic authorities. But nothing tangible has come out of it,” said former chairman of Kendrapara Municipality, Mohammad Akbar Ali.

However, chairman of Kendrapara Municipality, Dhirendra Sahu, said: “We are taking up cleanliness drive on a prioritised basis. Funds are being released for the purchase of larvicidal oil. The flogging machine is being repaired and it would be put to use within a week. In certain places, there may be accumulation of stagnant water. Civic authorities would visit these areas for smooth discharge of stagnant water.”