New Delhi:
Rain in Delhi has led to the problem of serious waterlogging and traffic chaos. But the city has also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, especially right next to the Commonwealth Games village. And the authorities seem to be at a loss.
"Three sides of the village are surrounded by the water coming in from the flood. After it recedes, I am sure there will be some depressed areas in which water will collect, or some areas which will be inaccessible to us. In these situations we have to tie up with other agencies to help clean up the area, because we do not have the expertise to deal with it," said VK Monga, MCD Health Officer.
The Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, which is the venue of the opening and closing ceremonies and inspected by the Prime Minister himself, is another breeding ground.
So far, there are 1788 dengue cases in Delhi with 72 new cases on Sunday. South Delhi is worst hit with 287 cases.
Worrying as these numbers are, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), number of cases will go up by mid-October.
Experts say the government should have consulted doctors before finalising the time and venues for the Commonwealth Games.
"Maybe in hindsight one can say 2010 and that too October was not the best time to hold an international event. Also it is not a good idea to have a Games village on the banks of the Yamuna where there is a lot of breeding, especially in this season," said Dr Bir Singh, HOD, Communicable diseases, AIIMS.
But despite the unprecedented number of cases, the government is optimistic that they will be able to clean up the mess before the athletes arrive.