The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has initiated a comprehensive three-month city-wide campaign focused on mosquito control, aiming to mitigate the spread of vector-borne diseases and safeguard public health. This extensive drive, encompassing all 75 wards of Jammu, commenced on Friday and is scheduled to continue until November 10. The initiative was launched on the directives of JMC Commissioner Devansh Yadav and will be conducted under the supervision of Health Officer Shahid Hussain, with fogging and spraying operations being implemented in a phased manner across the urban landscape.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that this proactive measure comes in the wake of significant dengue outbreaks in previous years. In the preceding year, the Jammu region reported over 1,100 cases of dengue, with the district of Jammu alone accounting for 460 cases. While this represented a decrease from the 1,876 cases recorded a year prior, authorities attribute the decline to sustained anti-mosquito control efforts. The JMC Commissioner has appealed to the residents of Jammu to extend their full cooperation to the municipal field teams and to actively participate in preventing mosquito breeding within their communities.
Residents have been urged to take crucial steps to eliminate potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes. A primary focus of the campaign is to ensure that water does not stagnate in and around homes. Stagnant water is identified as the ideal environment for mosquitoes to breed, thereby increasing the risk of diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and malaria. The JMC emphasized that the elimination of stagnant water sources is among the most effective strategies for preventing mosquito proliferation and curbing the transmission of these debilitating illnesses. The campaign involves targeted anti-mosquito spraying during the early morning hours, while thermal fogging will be conducted daily after 4 p.m. The initial phase of the drive is designed to cover all 75 wards according to a meticulously planned schedule.
The Jammu Municipal Corporation has also issued specific advisories for citizens, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma or smoke allergies. These individuals are advised to remain indoors during the thermal fogging operations and to ensure that all doors and windows are kept closed until the fog has completely dissipated. This precaution is intended to minimize exposure to the fogging agents. Furthermore, residents are strongly encouraged to conduct regular inspections and thorough cleaning of common water accumulation points. This includes coolers, water containers, discarded tires, flowerpots, drains, and rooftops, all of which can become inadvertent breeding sites if water is allowed to collect.
The sustained effort by the JMC underscores the ongoing challenge posed by mosquito-borne diseases in the region. The corporation’s commitment to a multi-pronged approach, combining public awareness with direct intervention through fogging and spraying, highlights the importance of community participation in public health initiatives. The success of such drives is heavily reliant on the active involvement of citizens in maintaining hygienic surroundings and preventing water stagnation, thereby creating a less hospitable environment for disease-carrying insects. The three-month duration of the drive indicates a strategic, long-term commitment to disease prevention, acknowledging that consistent efforts are required to manage mosquito populations effectively throughout the warmer months and beyond.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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