Cuttack, Dec. 3: The preoccupation of civic body workers during the recent festive season has led to the rise in the mosquito density index across the city.

The menace had assumed big proportions since the index stood at 65 against 45 to 50 last month. The density of mosquitoes is calculated by the average number of mosquito bites on 10 persons per hour. A density of 30 is said to be normal, 40 moderate and any density level beyond 40 is high.

As most workers of the sanitation department remained preoccupied during Dussehra, Kali Puja and the recently held Bali yatra, the mosquito eradication operation got adversely affected. Consequently, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation's mosquito eradication drive failed to take the sting out of the menace and the resentment of residents here is making it all the more evident.

Since winter is the peak breeding season for mosquitoes, the corporation needs to take necessary measures to combat the growing menace. "Poor sanitation and dearth of measures by the civic body are to be blamed for the rise in the number of mosquitoes in Cuttack," said Giribala Behera, a Congress councillor from ward No. 4.

Behera alleged that most of the drains were clogged, and due to water stagnation, the drainage system had become the breeding sites for mosquitoes.

"The lack of spraying chemicals and larvicide oil in the drains is not being carried out on a regular basis - due to which Cuttack residents are having a torrid time dealing with the vectors," said Mission Road resident Kartik Swain.

A corporation official admitted that there had been a sudden rise in the mosquito population and a detail strategy was required to with the situation.

"The council has approved the proposals for launching a massive drain-cleaning operation and intensive spraying of chemicals and larvicide oil to destroy the breeding sites of mosquitoes," said commissioner Gyana Das.

Das said five employees of the sanitation department would be engaged in each ward to carry out cleaning operations in all the 59 wards. There will also be a drive to prune bushes.

Chairman of the corporation's standing committee on public health Ranjan Biswal said: "Drain-cleaning operations will be carried out over the next two months in the city. A systematic fogging operation will also be carried out simultaneously."

"According to plans, 10 litres of chemicals and larvicide oil will be provided to two sanitary staff members for spraying in the drains and other places near households. Earlier, only five litres were provided to each ward," said Biswal.

Though the civic body has also planned for a fogging operation in all the 59 wards, several hand-held machines are still lying defunct. The lack of adequate machines would pose problems in the execution of fogging in all the wards. "Out of the 56 machines, 40 are in working condition, while steps are being taken for the urgent repair of the defunct ones," Biswal said.