At a house in Tondiarpet Road, while interacting residents near the Kodungiyur dumpyard, this reporter faced some unpleasant ‘chin music’. People said mosquitoes came in ever since the Chennai Corporation started dumping waste in the yard decades ago. Every monsoon heightens their mosquito anxiety; it’s more acute this year because of the dengue scare.
Manikandan, a resident, said that the recent heavy showers resulted in water stagnation inside the dumpyard. “In fact, part of the yard got inundated last week,” he said and pointed towards the western side of the yard.
The stagnant water was a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. “As evening approaches, we are forced to shut all doors. I apply repellent cream and burn coils as well. But there seems to be no effect,” he said. Residents, especially women, claimed that at least 30 people had suffered of malaria this year in the area and received treatment at the Stanley medical hospital.
At localities near dumpyards in Athipattu and Perungudi, there is a different kind of pest: housefly. Pointing to them buzzing around in their houses, a homemaker said they were unable to have a safe, decent meal in such an environment.
When contacted, Corporation officials said fogging is carried out twice a week near Kodungiyur. They also attend to specific complaints from houses. However, residents said the area cannot be treated on par with other ordinary places. “We want fogging every day. Other areas do not have a huge dumping ground in their backyard. This place must get special treatment.”