Corpn to assess larva density using geo-based gadgets

Chennai

According to a Chennai Corporation official, division level teams have been formed comprising supervisors, sprayers and persons for desilting water bodies. The teams are given High Accuracy Handheld Devices to measure the larval density and smartphones with an exclusive application. The teams would send the real-time data before and after the larval assessment.

“We have completed a trial run with the new system, which gave positive results. Each team has been given specific spots or stretches on waterways such as Cooum, Adyar, Buckingham canal and others. The teams would monitor the larval density and take action to bring it down,” the official said.

Explaining the advantage of the web-based monitoring system, the official said that entries from all the 15 zones would be monitored at Ripon Buildings. “The technology will also be utilised in mosquito control measures at ponds, stormwater drains and minor canals soon,” the official added.

The geo-based real-time vector control monitoring system would also help in mapping high-density mosquito spots and forecasting the breeding pattern. “Soon after the density is measured, Mosquito Larvicidal Oil (MLO) will be used to kill larva,” the official added.