As temperatures in the capital climbed to 31 degrees Celsius at the onset of March, Dhaka residents have found themselves battling a familiar foe with renewed ferocity mosquitoes. The seasonal shift from winter's retreat to warmer, more humid conditions has triggered a sharp spike in mosquito infestation, unsettling neighbourhoods across the city.
Over the past two weeks, mosquito density has risen visibly, disrupting daily routines and heightening public health concerns.
The surge comes at a particularly sensitive juncture, as the new government assumes office ahead of Ramadan and confronts the urgent task of preventing dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.
Meanwhile, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Md. Abdus Salam told the Daily Observer that the administrators of the two city corporations have sought allocation from the Prime Minister. And Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Shafiqul Islam Milton said that the city corporation has no money for development. That is why money help has been sought from the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. In addition, canal-digging work has started. He also said that government land will recover the canals by giving notice to the encroachers.
Recent research indicates that mosquito density in Dhaka rose by nearly 40 percent in February compared to January. Experts estimate that around 90 percent of the current mosquito population consists of the Culex species, which breeds primarily in polluted water, clogged drains, and stagnant sewage. Specialists attribute the alarming increase to gaps in sustained and coordinated control efforts.
Renowned entomologist Dr. Kabirul Bashar explained that blocked drains and stagnant water bodies layered with decaying aquatic vegetation provide ideal breeding grounds. As these water sources become dense and nutrient-rich, mosquito larvae flourish and rapidly mature into adult insects. He cautioned that fogging alone offers only temporary relief and stressed the importance of larviciding and eliminating breeding sources for long-term control.
In response to mounting public anxiety, both Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) have rolled out intensified action plans.
DNCC has initiated mosquito control operations three times daily across its jurisdiction. Public Relations Officer Md. Zobayer Hossain told the Daily Observer, spraying activities are being conducted in three times a day, tailored to regional needs. Since assuming office, DNCC Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan has prioritized mosquito control, reorganizing field operations to enhance coverage and efficiency.
A directive signed by Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Qayes Chowdhury outlines a structured strategy larviciding in the morning to eliminate mosquito larvae, followed by fogging in the afternoon and evening during peak activity hours.
Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been formed to address emerging hotspots swiftly. Authorities are also preparing updated inventories of drains, sewerage lines, canals, and water bodies to identify breeding sites more accurately. Officials confirmed that operations will continue uninterrupted, even on weekly holidays.
