Hey Pune peeps, are you noticing more mosquitoes buzzing around lately? Well, it turns out that the pesky insects are having a field day near the Mula and Mutha rivers due to the resurgence of water hyacinth. Locals are raising concerns about the situation getting worse as temperatures continue to rise.
Residents like Aniket Deshmukh from Khadki are pointing out that a large portion of the river near Holkar Bridge is covered in hyacinth, spreading all the way up to Sangam Bridge. The rapid growth of this aquatic weed is making the river look like it’s on the verge of getting clogged.
Areas along the Mutha River, such as Sinhagad Road, Shaniwar Peth, and Sadashiv Peth, are also facing a surge in mosquito breeding. Commuters passing by areas like RTO, Dengale Bridge, and Deccan Gymkhana have noticed significant accumulations of hyacinth along the riverbanks.
And it’s not just the Mula and Mutha rivers that are dealing with this issue. Lakes in Katraj, Pashan, and Jambhulwadi have been struggling with water hyacinth for years, adding to the worries of residents.
Ramesh Kulkarni from Shaniwar Peth is concerned about the health risks associated with the situation. He mentioned that people are already dealing with viral infections and waterborne diseases, and if the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) doesn’t act fast, the mosquito population will skyrocket, leading to an increase in diseases. He emphasized the need for immediate action to control the spread of hyacinth and conduct fogging in vulnerable areas.
Experts are linking the persistent water hyacinth problem to the discharge of untreated sewage and garbage into rivers. While the PMC removes hyacinth annually, the poor water quality causes it to grow back quickly. The dense growth of the weed makes river cleaning a challenging task, according to experts.
Civic activist Nitin Joshi slammed the PMC for not effectively addressing the issue, calling for a more sustained and well-planned effort to keep the rivers clean.
On the bright side, PMC officials have assured residents that contractors are working on clearing hyacinth from affected areas near residential neighborhoods. The health department has also been instructed to conduct regular fogging operations in mosquito-prone areas to tackle the issue.
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