Rain Stops, But Mosquitoes Stay
After the heavy rains, many streets in Karachi are still full of water. This water has become home for mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are now spreading dengue fever, and many people are getting sick.
Doctors say more than five hundred people have dengue in Sindh, most of them from Karachi. Every day, more patients are going to hospitals.
What Is Dengue?
Dengue is a disease that comes from a mosquito bite. The mosquito that spreads dengue bites mostly in the day. It grows in clean still water, like buckets, pots, and water tanks.
When someone gets dengue, they get high fever, body pain, headache, and tiredness. Some people also feel pain behind their eyes.
There is no special medicine for dengue. The best way to get better is to rest and drink lots of water.
(You can read more about dengue here on Wikipedia)
Hospitals Are Filling Fast
Doctors in Karachi are very busy. Hospitals like Jinnah Hospital and Civil Hospital are full of patients.
A doctor at Civil Hospital said,
“Most patients have fever and pain. We give them water, juice, and medicine to help them feel better.”
In some hospitals, two patients are sharing one bed. Nurses are working day and night.
People Are Scared
In Korangi, Malir, and Lyari, people say mosquitoes are everywhere.
Farah, a school teacher, said:
“We spray our house every night, but mosquitoes come back. My friend’s brother got dengue last week. Now everyone in our street is worried.”
Children cannot play outside. Parents keep windows closed even in hot weather.
Why Dengue Is Spreading
Health workers say dengue spreads because of these reasons:
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Rainwater stays in streets and open tanks.
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People do not cover their water pots.
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Dirty areas and garbage make mosquitoes grow.
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The hot and wet weather helps mosquitoes live longer.
If people clean their homes and throw out old water, dengue can stop spreading.
What the Government Is Doing
The Sindh government has started cleaning drives in many areas. Trucks are spraying insect killer in streets. Schools are told to cover water tanks and clean their grounds.
Posters are also being put up that say:
“No Water, No Mosquitoes!”
A government officer said,
“We are trying to clean every area, but people also need to take care of their own homes.”
What You Can Do at Home
Doctors say everyone can help stop dengue. Here are some easy steps:
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Do not let water stay in buckets or pots.
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Cover water tanks and bottles.
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Use mosquito nets at night.
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Wear full-sleeve clothes.
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Use mosquito repellent cream.
If you feel fever or body pain, go to the doctor right away. Do not take strong medicine without asking the doctor.
Children Need Extra Care
Children are getting sick faster. Their bodies lose water quickly. Doctors tell parents to give them juice, coconut water, or ORS (a salty drink) to keep them strong.
At one camp in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, a nurse said,
“We are giving ORS to every child with fever. It helps them feel better fast.”
People Helping Each Other
Many students and young people in Karachi are cleaning their streets. Some are giving free mosquito nets to poor families.
A student named Ahmed said,
“We can’t wait for others. We are cleaning our street together. It feels good to help.”
Social media users are also sharing tips on how to stay safe. Hashtags like #StopDengue and #CleanKarachi are trending online.
Weather and Climate Change
Experts say that dengue gets worse when the weather is hot and wet. This year’s monsoon made perfect conditions for mosquitoes.
They also say climate change is making Pakistan’s weather more dangerous. There will be more rain and more mosquitoes if the city is not kept clean.
What Doctors Say
Doctors are calm but serious. They say dengue can be stopped if everyone helps.
Dr. Sana from Karachi said,
“Dengue is not a death sentence. Drink water, rest, and don’t take wrong medicines. Most people get well in one week.”
She also said that people should not panic but be careful.
What Happens Next
Health teams are checking schools and homes. They are looking for mosquito eggs in tanks and old tires.
The city government plans to clean all dirty water by next week. But in some areas, it may take longer.
People hope things will get better soon. Still, they fear more rain can make dengue worse again.
Lessons for the Future
Pakistan has seen dengue before. In 2019 and 2022, many people were also sick. Experts say it is time to make a long-term plan.
If every home stays clean, and water is covered, dengue can be stopped before it spreads.
A City Trying to Heal
Karachi is tired, but people are strong. From doctors to students, everyone is doing something to fight dengue.
In the end, it is not just about medicine. It is about care, teamwork, and keeping the city clean.
If we all stay alert and help each other, Karachi will win this fight — one clean home at a time.
This mirrors the cholera outbreak among flood survivors elsewhere in the country — both share the same root cause: standing water the cleanup hasn’t caught up with.
Our Opinion
Karachi cycling through the same rain-then-dengue pattern as prior monsoons points to a maintenance gap rather than a knowledge gap — the causes (standing water, uncovered tanks, inconsistent municipal spraying) are well understood and repeated in almost identical language after every outbreak. The piece consistently missing from these government responses is a sustained, off-season sanitation program rather than a reactive spraying campaign that ramps up only once hospitals are already filling with patients.
