DIPANKAR ROY

After winter ended, mosquitoes took control of Khulna, making life difficult for many city dwellers. Locals claim that the situation has been ongoing for a long time, with the authorities continuing to turn a blind eye.

Swarms of mosquitoes from nearby ponds, bushes, waterbodies, and drains invade houses shortly after sunset, disrupting students’ studies, residents’ sleep, and other household activities.

This makes them vulnerable to serious diseases, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, and even the zika virus, according to physicians.

According to the conservancy department of Khulna City Corporation, from mid-February to the third week of March is the mosquito breeding season.

Sirajul Alom, a resident of ward-4 who lives near Minaxmi Cinema Hall, said he did not see any mosquito control efforts by the city corporation in his neighbourhood.

Tanvir Hassan, a vegetable vendor in Gallamary area, echoed him.

While talking to many city dwellers, they said they were compelled to spend Tk 300-350 every month to buy mosquito coils. They also said if coils are not lit at homes or shops after evening, the situation becomes unbearable.

Asaduzzaman Rahul, a resident of Khalishpur, said, “It’s quite hard to concentrate on my studies at night due to mosquitoes. I have to use a net and stay inside it to protect myself.”

Advocate Kudrat E Khuda, president of Sachetan Nagorik Committee (Sanak) in Khulna, said even at the end of winter, mosquito infestation is not decreasing as the department concerned of the city corporation is not doing its job properly.

In 2021-2022, KCC spent Tk 3.18 crore, and in 2022-2023, Tk 3.25 crore Anisur

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