Delhi, popularly known as the City of Djinns, is the capital city of India, a city with the longest standing history; where even the Pandavas, as per mythology, had a dominant rule. Delhi has always been known for its intricate network of cultures and traditions, intertwined together to form one of the most vibrant and colourful cities of India.
It has a wealth of architectural heritage with a rich history, and it would not be amiss to say that every resident of this wonderful city feels proud of being a Delhi-ite. It is the city which famous Urdu poets of the Mughal-era Meer, Muhammad Taqi Meer and Ibrahim Zauq refused to abandon even for the most lucrative offer else where, because they loved it.
But things seem to be taking a turn in the recent past, and for the worse. While pollution and over-population, soaring crime rate, notorious rape culture, poor public services, and haphazard and unplanned expansion are becoming a bane for this wonderful city, the icon of India is now facing one more disaster.
An epidemic of dengue and chikungunya has spread across the city. This has been the worst ever outbreak in the last six years, with the number of registered cases of dengue touching 1300 and a death toll of 19 due to this vector-borne disease.
The Spread of Dengue and Chikungunya
As per the latest report released by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), 220 fresh cases of dengue were added on last week to the 607 cases recorded until September 17th, 2016.
- Approximately 1,378 cases of dengue have been reported in the city so far this year.
- While this vector-borne disease is prevalent in September-October, 652 cases were reported in August alone.
- 1057 confirmed cases of chikungunya have come to the fore until the the second week of September.
- While 15 deaths have been reported due to chikungunya so far, the authorities are still refusing to accept it and keeping the tally at zero.
- In 2015 15,867 dengue cases were reported. It claimed 60 lives. This has been the worst in the last 20 years.
- In 2011, the number of people affected by chikungunya had reached a three-figure mark.
- Dengue claimed 423 lives in the city in the worst ever outbreak in 1996.
- Govindpuri
- Hasanpur in Patparganj
- Okhla, a suburban colony in south Delhi
- Karawal Nagar in North East Delhi
- East Delhi's Mayur Vihar
- Residential colony at Satbari
- Delhi is the major transit point for foreign tourists wanting to visit Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and other locations in the western state of Rajasthan. In fact, about 35% of India’s total foreign tourist influx in Delhi is because of the same reason. Now, with the epidemic of the vector-borne diseases, not only Delhi but all the tourist destinations in the Western part of the country stand affected.
- The subsidiary industries that earn their revenue based on the tourism industry, including aviation, taxi services, hospitality industry, and the like, are also bearing the brunt through the loss of revenue because of this situation.
- “With increasing cases of chikungunya and dengue and the kind of negative reaction on the tourists, the traffic is set to drop drastically, leaving a bruising impact on businesses such as hotels, airlines, taxi operators and restaurants. Many tour operators are now gearing up with precautionary steps for foreigners arriving in Delhi during the peak tourist season set to begin from October,” said D.S. Rawat, secretary general, ASSOCHAM.
- Delhi residents are asking their family and friends, who often visit from abroad and other parts of India, to stay away this holiday season due to the onslaught of chikungunya and dengue.
- Many of the residents are unable to travel out of the city, again affecting the tourism industry, as children and other family members are falling prey to these diseases.
- The Film and Entertainment Industry is also feeling the bite (pun intended), with crew members contracting the diseases while shooting on location.
