Mosquito Menace Rises in Pune as Water Hyacinth Spreads in Rivers and Lakes

Pune, 26th February 2025: Residents living near the Mula and Mutha rivers are grappling with an increasing mosquito problem as water hyacinth has resurfaced in various sections of these water bodies. With rising temperatures, locals fear the situation may deteriorate further in the coming weeks.

Aniket Deshmukh, a resident of Khadki, pointed out that nearly half of the riverbed near Holkar Bridge is covered with hyacinth, which has spread along both banks up to the Sangam Bridge. “The aquatic weed is growing rapidly, making the river look clogged,” he said.

Residents in areas along the Mutha River, including Sinhagad Road, Shaniwar Peth, Sadashiv Peth, as well as parts of Kharadi and Keshavnagar, have reported a surge in mosquito breeding over the past few days. Regular commuters along the riverside roads noted significant hyacinth accumulation near the RTO, Dengale Bridge, and Deccan Gymkhana.

Apart from the Mula and Mutha rivers, lakes in Katraj, Pashan, and Jambhulwadi have been dealing with a similar issue for years, adding to residents’ concerns.

Ramesh Kulkarni, a resident of Shaniwar Peth, highlighted the potential health risks. “People are already battling viral infections and waterborne diseases. If the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) does not act quickly, the mosquito population will rise, leading to an increase in diseases. The civic body must take immediate action to control the hyacinth spread and conduct fogging in vulnerable areas. A long-term solution is needed,” he said.

Environmental experts attribute the persistent water hyacinth problem to the discharge of untreated sewage and garbage into rivers. While the PMC removes hyacinth every year, poor water quality causes its rapid reappearance. The dense growth of the weed makes river cleaning a challenging task, experts noted.

Civic activist Nitin Joshi criticized the PMC for failing to address the issue effectively. “The corporation spends large amounts of money every year, but the results remain unsatisfactory. There has been no scientific approach to tackle the problem. A more sustained and well-planned effort is necessary to keep the rivers clean,” he said.

Meanwhile, PMC officials assured that contractors have been instructed to prioritize weed removal from areas near residential neighborhoods. “We are actively working on clearing hyacinth from affected spots. The health department has been directed to conduct regular fogging operations in mosquito-prone areas,” an official said.