Come July, Delhi ites eagerly look forward to monsoon rains seeking respite from scorching summer heat and pollution with improved AQI levels. But certainly not unwelcome but usual accompanying woes-water logging, increased mosquito breeding and sanitation issues with debris dotting the landscape.
This year in anticipation of the much awaited monsoon downpour the newly installed BJP Government has been in an overdrive to de-stilt drains and address issues in advance, owing to the hazards of overflowing drains, waterlogged roads, increased mosquito infestation and risk of disease spread due to unlceared waste confronting citizens every year.
According to IMD data, Delhi has already recorded more rain than expected for July, with 235.2 mm till now against the normal 209.7 mm.
The Central Pollution Control Board termed Delhi’s air quality as satisfactory with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 56.
Delhi Government was seen in action mode with Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, during a recent review meeting instructed senior officials from MCD, Delhi Jal Board and Health Department to work closely and take preventive action against dengue outbreaks especially in high population density areas with advanced fogging operations, and warnings followed by issuing of challans in case mosquito breeding is reported by field staff.
In addition MCD has been running awareness and prevention programme since june to keep in check the rise and spread of dengue with a focus on densely populated areas with fumigation drives.
Despite Government efforts, heavy rains add woes to the daily life of commuters to work.
Basanti Topo, a domestic help , residing in Ganesh chowk, Pandav Nagar ,complains of reaching late or missing work altogether due to rain -induced, water logging. ”
“Rains wreck havoc in my area and reaching the bus stand itself is a feat. Added to that buses are delayed or break down wading through flooded roads forcing me to miss a work day.”
Pradeep Kanojia a resident of JJ Colony, near Madan pur Khadar presses clothes for a living, fears his minor school- going daughter could get dengue as garbage pile-up and mosquito breeding increases in his area during monsoonal rains. ” As it is garbage removal is a problem in this area but rains increase mosquito population too. My daughter is especially vulnerable in this situation.”