Guwahati densely populated areas are facing a rising dengue crisis situation, with efforts of the municipal authorities to control the outbreak fall short, leaving residents increasingly frustrated and in fear.
The densely populated zones of Greater Guwahati, including Zoo Road Tiniali, Bhaskar Nagar, and Geetanagar, are currently struggling with a concerning surge in dengue cases. The situation has become increasingly alarming, as the efforts by the municipal authorities to curb the spread of the virus have proven insufficient, leaving many residents frustrated with the apparent lack of comprehensive action.
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While the city has faced dengue outbreaks in the past, this year’s rise in infections is particularly troubling. According to data released by the state health department, between January 1 and September 23, 2024, Assam reported 1,003 cases of dengue. This figure is considerably lower than the 5,959 cases recorded in the same period last year. However, health officials are expressing renewed concern as more than 60% of these cases have emerged since August, with Guwahati being one of the most affected areas.
The municipal bodies responsible for combating the disease have introduced several initiatives, including the release of guppy fish into the city’s drains and rivulets, an environmentally friendly strategy aimed at reducing the mosquito larvae population. However, the reach of these measures remains limited, with numerous areas across Guwahati still awaiting similar interventions. Residents in affected areas have pointed out that many of the city’s drains are choked with waste and stagnant water, creating prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus. The municipal corporation’s failure to address this widespread issue has only exacerbated the crisis.
Adding to the public’s frustration is the lack of consistent fogging operations, a method traditionally used to kill adult mosquitoes and reduce transmission rates. While fogging has been conducted in certain high-risk areas, many residents claim they have not seen fogging teams in months. This inconsistency has further fuelled fears that the city’s efforts to combat the dengue outbreak are disjointed and inadequate.
One of the key issues hampering the fight against dengue in Guwahati is the apparent lack of coordination between different governmental bodies. The municipal authorities, tasked with fogging and larval control, have been criticised for not acting swiftly enough, leaving pockets of the city exposed to a worsening public health crisis. Meanwhile, the health department, although working to treat the rising number of cases, is limited in its ability to address the root causes of the outbreak, such as poor sanitation and unchecked stagnant water in the city’s drains.
Another factor contributing to the crisis is the limited communication between authorities and the public. While dengue has been a recurring problem in Guwahati, many residents report a lack of public awareness campaigns or clear guidelines on how to protect themselves from the virus. The release of guppy fish, for example, is a positive step, but it has not been accompanied by any meaningful public education about its purpose or effectiveness. As a result, the initiative has been met with confusion and scepticism by some residents, who question why it has not been applied city-wide.
Moreover, the response in Guwahati pales in comparison to efforts seen in other parts of the state. In Dima Hasao, for instance, health teams have been actively visiting the district, isolating stagnant water and working to identify mosquito breeding sites in its hilly terrain. The hill district has recorded the highest number of dengue cases this year, with 360 infections reported. In contrast, Karbi Anglong, another district that was hard hit by the virus last year, has seen a dramatic reduction in cases, from 6,000 to just 50. Health officials attribute this sharp decline to herd immunity and more proactive prevention measures, leaving residents in Guwahati questioning why the same level of intervention has not been implemented in the city.
Meanwhile, health officials have revealed that the surge in dengue cases coincided with a significant drop in Japanese Encephalitis (JE) infections, a common vector-borne disease in Assam. As JE cases began to decline in July and August, dengue infections surged, placing additional strain on the already overburdened healthcare system. A senior official from the state health department explained that while JE may be under control for now, the focus has had to shift to managing the rising cases of dengue, which show no signs of slowing down.
This situation has highlighted broader issues in Guwahati’s urban planning and infrastructure management. The city’s drainage system, which frequently becomes clogged with waste, is a critical factor in the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Despite years of complaints and promises of improvement from municipal authorities, the problem persists. During the monsoon season, large areas of the city are regularly flooded due to poor drainage, creating ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed. Until these systemic issues are addressed, it is unlikely that the city will see any meaningful reduction in dengue cases.
In the midst of this public health emergency, it is clear that more needs to be done. Fogging and larval control efforts must be scaled up across all of Guwahati’s affected zones, not just the areas deemed high-risk by health authorities. In addition, the municipal corporation must take immediate action to address the city’s chronic drainage issues, which have been allowed to fester for far too long.
Finally, greater transparency and communication between health officials and the public are essential. Residents must be made aware of the dangers posed by dengue and educated on the steps they can take to protect themselves and their families. Public awareness campaigns, coupled with a more robust and consistent approach to vector control, are necessary if Guwahati is to bring this outbreak under control.
As one health official, speaking to GPlus, put it: “We have targeted the areas where cases have spiked over the past few months. Although we have been doing this since 2019, presently we are trying to provide better facilities in the more affected areas.” He added: “In case of fogging, the WHO has restricted us from using it frequently. However, the public can request the service, and our team will respond accordingly.”
It is clear that despite these assurances, much remains to be done to protect the people of Guwahati from this growing public health threat. With the situation continuing to evolve, it is critical that municipal authorities take swift and decisive action to avoid a full-blown dengue crisis.
