Hyderabad: The city is under attack by houseflies and fruit flies that are usually seen only in the pre-monsoon weeks when mangoes and jackfruits are around.
The common vector of intestinal infections, houseflies are more than a nuisance. GHMC’s anti-larval operations and fogging failed to contain the menace.
Dr C. Srinivasulu, member of the TS Biodiversity Board, said houseflies could breed under any conditions. “Wet garbage should not be left in and around houses. Houseflies thrive on it. Proper disposal of garbage, particularly kitchen waste, is must.”
Mr Abhishek Thakur of Bapunagar, Chikkadpally, said, “The GHMC began constructing a retaining wall adjacent to the Musi nala but left it halfway. People are using this area to throw garbage and even urinate. On top of this, buffaloes are being brought to bathe in the nala. This has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and files."
Mr Sampath Kumar of Indiranagar, Warasguda, said, “A fewtree branches were cut and dumped in front of my house which the GHMC cleaning staff did not remove. Now people have made it a dump yard to throw all types of garbage. Flies, mosquitoes are tormenting us.”
GHMC commissioner B. Janardhan Reddy said, “Controlling the mosquito menace is not the duty of the GHMC alone; citizens must come forward. GHMC personnel visit around 2 lakh houses every day to take up anti-larva operations. The GHMC’s entomology department does not have enough personnel.”
