Graveyards may trigger dengue epidemic in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: As the district administration devises a plan to tackle the threat from the dengue virus, the district administration has yet to clear overgrown shrubs and bushes from graveyards across the city, posing a potential threat to activities for curbing the spread of the viral fever.

In many cemeteries of Rawalpindi, the bushes have grown as high as five feet and some have even completely covered graves.

Rawalpindi Headquarters Additional Deputy Commissioner (DC) Maham Asif had ordered the relevant authorities to cut down all overgrown bushes and shrubs as a precautionary measure against the dengue mosquito. However, her orders have yet to be fully complied with.

Further, after the recent spell of rains and owing to the laxity on part of the government, rainwater has collected at multiple spots in the cemeteries. These puddles will be a perfect breeding ground for the growth of the dengue larvae.

The water has also collected in the clay pots placed in different graveyards for birds to drink water. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2020.