Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
Densely populated areas of Guwahati are facing a escalating dengue crisis, with municipal authorities’ efforts to control the outbreak failing, leaving residents increasingly frustrated and fearful.
The densely populated areas of Greater Guwahati, including Zoo Road Tiniali, Bhaskar Nagar and Getanagar, are now grappling with an alarming rise in dengue cases. The situation is becoming increasingly alarming, as efforts by city authorities to curb the spread of the virus have proven inadequate, leaving many residents frustrated by the apparent lack of comprehensive action.
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While the city has dealt with dengue outbreaks in the past, the rise in infections this year is particularly troubling. According to data released by the state health department, between January 1 and September 23, 2024, Assam reported 1,003 cases of dengue. This figure is considerably lower than the 5,959 cases registered in the same period last year. However, health officials are expressing renewed concern as more than 60% of these cases have emerged since August, with Guwahati being one of the worst-affected areas.
The municipal bodies responsible for the fight against the disease have introduced several initiatives, including the release of gopi fish into the city’s drains and streams, an environmentally friendly strategy aimed at reducing the population of mosquito larvae. However, the reach of these measures remains limited, with many areas across Guwahati still awaiting similar interventions. Residents in the affected areas noted that many of the city’s drains are choked with waste and standing water, creating prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus. The failure of the municipal corporation to deal with this extensive issue only exacerbated the crisis.
Adding to public frustration is the lack of consistent fogging operations, a method traditionally used to kill adult mosquitoes and reduce transmission rates. While fogging has been conducted in some high-risk areas, many residents say they haven’t seen fogging crews in months. This inconsistency has further fueled concerns that the municipality’s efforts to combat the dengue outbreak are fragmented and inadequate.
One of the main issues affecting the fight against dengue in Guwahati is the apparent lack of coordination between various government bodies. City authorities, tasked with hazing and caterpillar control, have been criticized for not acting quickly enough, leaving pockets of the city exposed to the worsening public health crisis. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health, although working to address the increasing number of cases, is limited in its ability to address the root causes of the outbreak, such as poor sanitation and unsupervised stagnant water in the city’s drainage.
Another factor contributing to the crisis is the limited communication between the authorities and the public. While dengue has been a recurring problem in Guwahati, many residents report a lack of public awareness campaigns or clear instructions on how to protect themselves from the virus. The release of guppy fish, for example, is a positive step, but it is not accompanied by any significant public education about its purpose or effectiveness. As a result, the initiative has been met with confusion and skepticism by some residents, who question why it has not been implemented citywide.
Moreover, the response in Guwahati pales in comparison to the efforts seen in other parts of the country. In Dima Ha Sao, for example, health teams have been actively visiting the district, isolating standing water and working to identify mosquito breeding sites in its mountainous terrain. The Hill District recorded the highest number of dengue cases this year, with 360 infections reported. In contrast, Karbi Anglong, another district hit hard by the virus last year, saw a dramatic drop in the number of cases, from 6,000 to just 50. Health officials attribute this sharp decline to herd immunity and more proactive prevention measures, leaving Guwahati residents wondering why the same level of intervention has not been implemented in the city.
Meanwhile, health officials revealed that the rise in dengue cases has coincided with a significant drop in Japanese encephalitis (JE) infections, a common vector-borne disease in Assam. As JE cases began to decline in July and August, dengue infections increased, putting further strain on an already overburdened health care system. A senior official from the state health department explained that while JE may be under control for now, the focus had to shift to managing the rising dengue cases, which show no signs of slowing down.
This situation highlighted wider issues in Guwahati’s urban planning and infrastructure management. The city’s drainage system, frequently clogged with waste, is a critical factor in the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Despite years of complaints and promises of improvement from city authorities, the problem persists. During the monsoon season, large areas of the city are regularly flooded due to poor drainage, creating ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. Until these systemic issues are addressed, it is unlikely that the municipality will see a significant reduction in dengue cases.
In the midst of this public health emergency, it is clear that more needs to be done. Fogging and larval control efforts should be increased in all affected areas of Guwahati, not just in areas considered high risk by health authorities. Also, the municipal corporation must take immediate action to address the city’s chronic drainage problems, which have been allowed to fester for too long.
Finally, greater transparency and communication between health officials and the public is essential. Residents must be made aware of the dangers posed by dengue and educated about the steps they can take to protect themselves and their families. Public awareness campaigns, along with a stronger and more consistent approach to vector control, are necessary if Guwahati is to bring this outbreak under control.
As one health official who spoke to GPlus put it: “We have focused on areas where cases have increased over the past few months. Although we have been doing this since 2019, we are currently trying to provide better facilities in the more affected areas.” He added: “In case of obfuscation, the World Health Organization has restricted us from using it frequently. However, the public can request the service, and our team will respond accordingly.”
Clearly, despite these promises, much remains to be done to protect the people of Guwahati from this growing public health threat. As the situation continues to develop, it is essential that municipal authorities take swift and decisive action to prevent a full-blown dengue crisis.
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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