Civic body to observe ‘dry day’ on Sunday

Thiruvananthapuram: The city corporation has decided here to observe a ‘dry day’ on Sunday within the corporation limits as part of a mosquito eradication drive. Mayor Arya Rajendran here on Thursday held a meeting with officials and heads of standing committees in connection with the sanitation activities to be conducted in wards.
‘Suchitwa’ squads will be formed in all the wards which will coordinate cleaning activities in public places and residential areas from May 22 to 29. The officials have been directed to identify hazardous waste management issues and resolve them. All the residents associations in the city and households will be required to observe a dry day on Sunday. This would mean that the residents have to make sure that stagnant water is being cleared off their premises to prevent the growth of mosquitoes in their residential areas.
All the abandoned cans, buckets or flower pots where the mosquitoes usually breed will have to be cleared off. Steps are also being taken to clear the pits and small holes that develop on construction sites and destroy all possible breeding sites of mosquitoes. Often during piling or other construction activities, the pits and holes are left unattended. This later proves to be an ideal breeding ground for the mosquitoes.
The city corporation council has approved 1,117 works as part of pre monsoon cleaning drive of which 426 works have been completed. Health inspectors have been directed to inspect all the schools in the city limits and address complaints related to safety and sanitation.
Trimming of trees in school campuses that pose a threat will also be carried out.