Former Chairman of the Health & Sanitation Committee of Jammu Municipal Corporation and General Secretary of the Jammu & Kashmir Congress Committee, Satish Sharma, has warned that with the changing season, the threat of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya is increasing rapidly. He urged the Health Department and Jammu Municipal Corporation to strengthen their teams and immediately launch a special sanitation and fumigation drive across the city to prevent any outbreak of epidemic.
Sharma pointed out that the recent spell of continuous rains and floods severely affected several parts of Jammu city. Streets and drains were submerged, causing immense difficulties for people. Now that the water has receded, filth and sludge have accumulated in many areas. This filth and waterlogging, he said, are the prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
He added that the spread of diseases like dengue and chikungunya is usually higher during the monsoon and transition of seasons. In such conditions, the administration must remain alert and prepared. If proper sanitation and spraying of medicines are not carried out in time, there could be a sudden spike in dengue and chikungunya cases in the coming days.
The former Chairman made it clear that municipal teams should not restrict their activities only to main roads and marketplaces but must reach lanes, colonies, and residential localities to conduct cleaning and fumigation. He also called upon the Health Department to run awareness campaigns about preventive measures and educate people to ensure that no stagnant water is left around their homes and neighborhoods.
Sharma further appealed to citizens not to rely solely on the administration but to take personal responsibility for maintaining hygiene. He emphasized that people must keep their rooftops, courtyards, and surroundings clean. “The most effective way to fight dengue is to eliminate the breeding grounds of mosquitoes altogether,” he stressed.
Expressing confidence, Sharma said that if the Municipal Corporation, Health Department, and common citizens work together, dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases can be controlled in time.
