Rain scarcity could extend the dengue menace season in Kolkata

New Delhi, Thursday, September 13, The dengue outbreak in Kolkata may take time to wane unless the rainfall activities intensifies over the next two weeks. Scanty rain could prolong the breeding season of Aedes Aegypti - the mosquito, which carries the dengue virus - usually breeds between July and September. In the absence of heavy rain, puddles the breeding ground of the mosquito remains very active as scanty rainwater fails to flush them out.

The mosquito could survive beyond September, depending on the temperature and humidity. Usually, it dies out once the temperature falls below 22°C. But, they can adapt and survive even in mild winter. So, removing the breeding grounds is key to eradicate dengue outbreak, which is only possible when incessant rainwater removes the breeding grounds.

Rains have been scanty over the historical city throughout this monsoon. The normal rainfall during the monsoon season in Kolkata is 1348.4 mm while it has been scanty by 34% during this season. The total rainfall the city received during this monsoon is 890 mm.

The month of June recorded 178.40 mm of rain against the normal rainfall of 283.5 mm. During July this season, Kolkata received 248.70 mm against the normal rainfall of 399.9 mm. During August, 252.70 mm of rain received by Kolkata against the normal rainfall of 352.4 mm while by September 12 this year the city received 210.20 mm of rain against the normal rainfall of 312. 6 mm.