Pune: Mosquito menace stings citizens even after anti-larvae spray over Katraj lake

PUNE: Residents living in the vicinity of the Katraj lake continue to be troubled by mosquito bites even after the Pune Municipal Corporation sprayed anti-larvae solutions over the water body with the help of a drone on Monday.
Mangesh Bhosle, a resident, said, "We have tried everything to keep mosquitoes at bay like keeping the windows closed, burning coil and using liquid vaporiser, but nothing has worked. My wife keeps trying out remedies that she sees on social media, but in vain."
Datta Tupe, who lives 500 metres from the lake, said, "During summer, the mosquito problem increases."
Hrishikesh Shah, a resident of Lake Town housing society, said, "We have around 5,000 residents in our society. We have met the PMC authorities several times on the need to rid the lake of hyacinth and chemical waste. We can't even breathe properly."
Dr Suryakant Deokar, immunisation officer, PMC, said a drone with a 10 litre-capacity was used to reach the centre of the 70-acre lake, where the larvae remain concentrated, and spraying was carried out. He said, "The solution will not affect the fish. As for the residential areas suffering from mosquito infestation, our team will visit the sites and evaluate the situation," he said.
According to Kunal Khemnar, PMC additional commissioner, 60% of the lake has been cleaned of hyacinth, and efforts are being taken to remedy the toxicity of the water.