GCC Steps Up Dengue Control as Mosquito Breeding Spots Rise Across Adyar and Other Zones

The Greater Chennai Corporation has intensified vector-control operations across the city following a rise in dengue cases, with neighbourhoods including Adyar, Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar, Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Perungudi, and Sholinganallur registering high numbers of domestic breeding spots.

According to data compiled by the civic body, inspections conducted across Chennai's 15 zones last week identified 3,326 houses with larvae of Aedes mosquitoes. Civic teams detected 4,029 containers that tested positive for Aedes larvae during the same inspection period.

Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar recorded the highest count, with 610 houses testing positive for larvae. Dengue cases have steadily climbed across the city over the monsoon months, rising from 137 cases in June to 282 in July, and reaching an estimated 302 cases during the first three weeks of August.

GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran stated that dengue control measures are underway on a war footing. The corporation has deployed 2,076 domestic breeding checkers to carry out door-to-door anti-larval activities and operates 470 portable fogging machines daily to target day-biting Aedes mosquitoes.

The civic body has also launched special Sunday drives focused on source removal at new construction sites, alongside awareness campaigns urging residents to eliminate water-retaining containers. Special inspections are being conducted at schools, parks, and other public spaces. Workers identified with fever symptoms have been directed to nearby treatment facilities.

Local representatives have raised concerns over staffing levels amid the spike. Ward 84 Councillor J. John reported rising cases in areas like Korattur TNHB layout, noting that only 10 workers were deployed in the ward against the usual requirement of 18. Ward 104 Councillor T.V. Shemmozhi also highlighted an increase in cases across multiple neighbourhoods.