Hyacinth Takes Over City Lakes, Rises Mosquito Threat

Hyderabad: Several lakes across Hyderabad, including Kamuni Cheruvu, Mundla Kathwa, Maisamma Cheruvu, Sunnam Cheruvu and Rangadhamuni Kunta, are witnessing a rapid spread of water hyacinth after routine maintenance contracts ended in October, even as anti-larval staff have been pulled away for election work, raising concerns over mosquito breeding and public health risks, sources told Deccan Chronicle.

According to official data, other affected lakes include Boina Cheruvu, Ali Thalab Lake, Pariki Cheruvu, Bheemuni Kunta, Nalla Cheruvu, Ambhar Cheruvu, Kotha Cheruvu, Morhukula Kunta and Chinnaraidi Cheruvu, all of which were under maintenance until October 2025.

Residents living around these lakes say the weed has thickened over the past few weeks, reducing the visible water surface and slowing circulation. The unchecked growth has coincided with the lapse of lake maintenance contracts and the diversion of entomology staff who usually carry out anti-larval operations.

According to sources from the entomology department of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), routine work has been disrupted due to election duties assigned to field staff. “Most of the workers who normally handle anti-larval operations have been engaged as booth-level officers for the elections. They will remain occupied for nearly two months, which has affected regular lake surveillance and mosquito control,” one of the staff members said.

He added that the absence of regular de-weeding and larval control creates ideal conditions for mosquito breeding, particularly in lakes where water hyacinth forms dense surface mats. “Water hyacinth blocks sunlight and traps stagnant water beneath it. That is where mosquito larvae thrive if anti-larval work is delayed,” he explained.

Officials acknowledged that the maintenance contracts for these lakes concluded in October and have not yet been renewed. According to an entomologist from the department, “Once the contract ends, mechanical removal of weeds stops unless emergency arrangements are made. That gap is what residents are seeing now,” he said.

He added, however, that steps are being initiated to restore maintenance work. He said zonal authorities have indicated that the tender process will begin shortly. “On Tuesday, zonal superintendent engineer Chinna Reddy said that tenders for lake maintenance will be opened by this weekend. Once that happens, de-weeding and regular operations can resume,” he said. He added that though the staff are not on election duty every day, it does affect their efficiency.

Residents living near several of these lakes said the weed growth has already reduced walkability along bunds and increased mosquito presence during early morning and evening hours. Environmental observers warned that prolonged neglect could affect water quality and local biodiversity.

Manisha Girjala, assistant professor at a private college in the city teaching botany, said the timing is important, as winter mosquito breeding often goes unnoticed until cases rise. “Without continuous anti-larval work and weed removal, localised outbreaks of dengue and malaria become harder to control,” she said.