Dengue and Climate Change: A Growing Concern in Manipur
Moirangthem Khagemba
IMPHAL, May 24: Climate change is becoming a major environmental and health issue worldwide. One key effect is the rise in temperatures, which is making conditions ripe for mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue, Malaria, and Japanese Encephalitis.
Manipur is feeling the heat, with Dengue cases soaring. In 2025, the state recorded 5,519 cases, the highest to date. This year’s numbers are still pending, but the situation is alarming. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, temperatures in Manipur spiked to 38°C last June and July. Recently, Noney recorded a temperature of 35.58°C in just a day.
Experts highlight that warmer weather boosts mosquito breeding. Dr. Ngangom Surjalata, an entomologist from the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme in Manipur, emphasizes the link between rising temperatures and increased mosquito activity. For instance, she notes that mosquitoes thrive in standing water, which collects in many overlooked spots like old tires and blocked drainage.
Reports indicate a troubling rise in Dengue cases: 203 in 2021, 504 in 2022 (with two fatalities), 2,548 in 2023, 2,463 cases and five deaths in 2024, and the peak in 2025. So far in 2026, 34 cases have been confirmed across various districts.
Dr. Surjalata says Dengue used to be seasonal, but cases are now appearing almost year-round. Higher temperatures quicken the mosquito lifecycle, increasing their numbers. Female Aedes mosquitoes, responsible for spreading Dengue, become more aggressive in seeking blood for their eggs.
Residents are concerned too. Chaotombi, a local from Palace Compound, shared that many families in her area were struck by Dengue last year, expressing fear that history might repeat itself.
To combat this, Dr. Surjalata advises the public to eliminate stagnant water around their homes. Regular maintenance of water tanks is also critical. She warns that while fogging can reduce mosquito populations, it can also harm beneficial insects.
Additional concerns arise from scientists like Dr. Aarti Ningombam at the ICAR Research Complex. She mentions how changing rainfall patterns are facilitating the spread of disease-carrying insects and notes the declining number of natural predators, like frogs, that help control mosquito populations.
This highlights a need for urgent collective action. With rising temperatures and erratic weather, the community must be proactive in preventing Dengue and similar diseases. Keeping surroundings clean and monitoring for stagnant water can significantly reduce mosquito breeding.
For further details on the impacts of climate change on health, you can refer to the World Health Organization (WHO).
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