Residents of Keshavnagar and Kharadi in Pune were taken by surprise after they witnessed an unusual phenomenon – a "mosquito tornado" — swirling over the Mutha river. In a video shared on Instagram, one can see a dense cloud of mosquitoes forming a swirling vortex near the riverbanks, creating a surreal sight. The mosquito tornado, though not uncommon in certain regions during specific seasons, is a rare occurrence in urban areas like Pune. According to various reports, it is attributed to the recent weather conditions, which have created an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Concerns have been raised among social media users regarding the potential health implications of such a large congregation of mosquitoes since they are bearers of diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, raising fears of a possible outbreak in the affected areas. Netizens have also reacted to the video with comments where one user wrote, “The urge to swing the mosquito Electric Racket.” Another asked, “Someone with knowledge, what is the science behind this occurrence?,” to which the reply mentioned, “Rivers are self-cleaning. They contain animals that feed on mosquito larvae. The municipal corporation spills sewage into the river and let's corporations pollute it, it leads to unchecked growth of water hyacinth which makes the surface of the river still enough for mosquitoes to breed. It may look funny but it'll not be with the diseases they bring.” Watch the video below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Being Pune Official (@beingpuneofficial) A third posted, “Bless all the people with “river view” homes. Time to weld the windows shut.” Another comment clarified, stating, "Typically, mosquitoes that target humans tend to remain within a 25-foot altitude range. However, certain species may venture higher due to their preference for breeding in taller structures or trees, or to seek food sources elevated by wind currents."
