BARIPADA: Debajani Bag (54) of Purnachandrapur area in Baripada town is suffering from cerebral malaria. And so are five others in the area for the last one week.
Poor sanitation in the area has led to health complications in many areas under Baripada Municipality, including Purnachandrapur.
Even as the health officials deny it, locals alleged that mosquito menace and mosquito-borne diseases are increasing due to sanitation problems. Heaps of garbage and waste materials can be seen at many places daily.
Around two lakh people in 28 wards reside in the municipality, most of which, are not cleaned on a daily basis.
“The sweeping and waste disposal done twice a week is not enough to clean the town. It should be done daily,” said Krushnananda Mohanty, former chairman of the municipality.
It is alleged that the staff who have been appointed for sanitation drive hardly attend office. Not only has the municipality failed in disposing of waste but also restoring sewerage and drainage network.
In the absence of waste management system, government lands near Laxmiposi and Budhabalanga river have become dumping grounds.
As the sanitation staff dump waste into water bodies and block drains, the accumulated garbage turns into breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Besides lack of sanitation, water-logging in residential areas and roads is a perennial problem.
Municipal Chairman Raj Sibnarayan Kisku said at least two new fogging machines will be purchased very soon. Besides, the attention of the Urban Development Department has been drawn for funds for sanitation purpose.