With a record-breaking monsoon season already under its belt, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is intensifying its battle against dengue and malaria ahead of Durga Puja. As official data shows a worrying increase in dengue cases compared to last year, authorities are urging the public and puja organisers to be proactive in preventing mosquito breeding.
While the current dengue count of 290 is lower than the 2023 figure, it’s higher than the 255 cases reported by the same time last year. Atin Ghosh, Deputy Mayor and member of the mayoral council for the state health department, acknowledged the increase but emphasised: “We are working keeping in mind the statistics for 2023.”
Two dengue-related deaths have been reported in the past two weeks, elevating concern.
The primary source of apprehension for the KMC is the unprecedented rainfall this year. Kolkata has received 1316.5 ml of rain so far in 2025, which is already more than the entire year’s rainfall in 2024 (1164.2 ml) and significantly more than the 666.3 ml received in 2023. This excess water provides an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, and authorities are actively surveying the city for water accumulation hotspots.
Ghosh highlights the challenges faced in a densely populated city of 4.5 million residents, where 1.8 million live in slums, “where the only way to collect water is in buckets and pots,” he explains.
In response to the rising threat, the KMC has identified several “hotspot zones,” including areas within wards 66, 67, 69, 70, 77, 93, and 108. The civic body is also taking proactive steps to mitigate the risk during Durga Puja celebrations, a time when massive temporary structures or pandals are erected across the city. The Deputy Mayor noted that rainwater can often accumulate on the top of these pandals, creating breeding sites.
To combat this, the KMC is appealing directly to puja organisers, with plans for meetings before the start of Mahalaya on September 21. Organisers are being asked to send photos of their pandals to demonstrate their efforts in preventing mosquito breeding.
In addition to dengue, the KMC is also monitoring malaria cases. The city has seen a decline in malaria infections this year, with 1,156 cases reported so far, down from 1,358 in 2024 and 2,888 in 2023 for the same period.
While asserting that Kolkata’s vector-borne disease infrastructure is “unmatched anywhere in India,” Ghosh stressed that public participation is crucial. “We have an appeal to people to be aware to keep their vicinity clear and hygienic,” he said. The KMC authorities stated that the health department must also increase patient tracking and inter-departmental coordination to ensure a swift response to any further outbreaks.
What the numbers show
According to data from the KMC health department, the city has seen an increase in dengue cases in 2025.
(Cases as of August 10)
2023
Dengue: 13,926
Malaria: 10,483
2024
Dengue: 1,316
Malaria: 6,136
2023
Dengue: 672
Malaria: 2,888
2024
Malaria: 1,358
Dengue: 255
2025
Malaria: 1,156
Dengue: 290