Tiruchi Corporation has intensified surveillance and preventive measures as part of its monsoon preparedness to tackle the possible outbreak of water-borne and vector-borne diseases during the upcoming rainy season.

The civic body has identified 28 vulnerable hotspots where dengue cases were reported in previous years. “The hotspots were identified based on data collected over the past five years. Pattammal Street near the airport and East Boulevard Road are among the areas that have been identified for close monitoring,” said M. Karthikeyan, City Health Officer.

The Corporation is monitoring trends through surveillance at about 150 private and government hospitals and 35 testing laboratories. The data was collected to track cases of fever, dengue and malaria. So far, around four dengue cases have been reported in Tiruchi so far this month.

To intensify mosquito-control measures, the Corporation has deployed around 46 portable fogging machines and high-capacity fogging vehicles. A dedicated team has been assigned to operate the equipment across the city.

Around 350 domestic breeding checkers have been deployed to conduct door-to-door inspections in all wards. The DBCs are inspecting households, commercial establishments, construction sites, parks, and plots to identify mosquito-breeding sources and ensure their removal.

A major concern

Poorly maintained plots in residential areas have been identified as a major concern. Such plots often become dumping grounds for garbage and discarded items such as old tyres, empty plastic containers and coconut shells, which can collect rainwater and become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The Corporation will issue notices to owners clean their plots and maintain the properties properly.

Similarly, notices will be issued to scrap dealers who dump scrap materials in open spaces. They will be advised to shift the material to suitable locations or provide temporary sheds for storage. Officials said scrap yards and open piles of discarded material could become potential mosquito-breeding sources during the monsoon, as rainwater can easily stagnate in and around the scrap.

The Corporation is planning to inspect school premises, including terraces and backyards, to identify potential mosquito-breeding sources. “We would appoint a nodal officer at each school to monitor the situation and notify the Corporation in case of prolonged absenteeism among students,” Dr. Karthikeyan added.

Published - August 08, 2026 07:50 pm IST