Bhubaneswar, August 4: Residents of Badagada village and nearby areas under Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Ward No. 44 are facing a severe mosquito menace, with people complaining of persistent mosquito attacks inside homes, on roads and in marketplaces. Locals said they have never witnessed such a serious situation before.

The village has been surrounded by several potential mosquito breeding spots, including the garbage-filled Daya West Branch Canal on the western side and the Gangua drain on the southern side. Three BMC waste processing centres located towards the south-west, along with the Nua Sahi pond and the Badagada cremation ground, have also contributed to the growing problem over the years.

However, residents said the situation has worsened this year due to the poor condition of BMC’s Drain No. 6, which passes through Badagada and connects to the Gangua river. The drain carries sewage water from a large part of Bhubaneswar, but it has remained clogged due to the accumulation of plastic waste, silt, garbage and animal carcasses.

Despite repeated appeals from residents before the monsoon, the drain was allegedly not cleaned. The blockage has prevented sewage water from flowing into the Gangua river, resulting in prolonged waterlogging in the Badagada area. Stagnant sewage spread across hundreds of acres of land has now become a major breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Residents said that unless Drain No. 6 is cleaned up to the Gangua channel, there is no possibility of proper drainage from the area. Even after the rainy season, they fear that the stagnant sewage water will continue to remain, worsening the mosquito problem.

The village is currently surrounded by stagnant sewage water from the Daya West Branch Canal, BMC waste processing centres, the Nua Sahi pond, the cremation ground, the Gangua drain and nearby waterlogged fields. Locals claimed that mosquitoes are emerging from all directions, making daily life extremely difficult.

Several dengue cases have reportedly been detected in the Badagada area, raising concerns among residents. Many people have started closing doors and windows early in the evening due to fear of mosquito bites. Residents warned that failure to take immediate preventive measures could lead to a larger public health crisis.

BMC South-East Zone Zonal Deputy Commissioner Pranab Kumar Behera said the cleaning responsibility of Drain No. 6 lies with the BMC Drainage Division. He said the concerned departmental engineer would provide details regarding the drain’s condition.

He added that the civic body has taken steps to control mosquitoes in the area, including regular spraying of mosquito oil and fogging operations.