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Punjab Drones Tackle Dengue Hotspots
13 Oct
Summary
- Drones will spray larvicides in hard-to-reach dengue breeding sites.
- The operation targets stagnant water, rooftops, and congested areas.
- Patiala district is the focus of this 60-day drone initiative.
Punjab is implementing a novel, technology-driven strategy to combat dengue by deploying drones. This initiative aims to spray approved larvicides in mosquito-breeding sites that are inaccessible through traditional methods. These challenging locations include stagnant water bodies, rooftops, abandoned plots, and densely populated areas.
The health minister emphasized a proactive approach, focusing on identifying and eliminating mosquito larvae. The initial 60-day operation is set to cover identified dengue hotspots and breeding grounds in Patiala district, which experienced a significant dengue burden in 2025. Daily field reports and surveys will monitor larval and adult mosquito populations.
The health department will oversee hotspot identification, secure necessary clearances, and manage local operations with technical supervision. A joint review within 10 days post-operation will assess effectiveness and explore expansion to other districts. This operation is being conducted without financial transactions impacting the state exchequer.
