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September 11, Kathmandu – The devastating flood that occurred in the Bhotekoshi River on August 26 caused extensive damage to hydropower facilities in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts. Beyond structural destruction, hundreds of workers remain missing and out of contact.

Data collected by the Independent Power Producers Association Nepal (IPAN) indicates that 916 workers at various hydropower projects have been unreachable since the flood. Even after 17 days, search and rescue operations for missing individuals, including those trapped inside tunnels, have not been completed.

A rapid damage and needs assessment (RDNA) report prepared by the National Planning Commission in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reveals significant losses in the energy sector.

The report states that 13 hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 759 MW and five solar plants totaling 24 MW have been affected. It estimates that NPR 390.62 billion is required to restore energy production and grid infrastructure.

While physical damages are extensive, the current critical concern is the search and rescue of those trapped in tunnels and underground powerhouses.

Access Issues Hampering Delivery of Equipment

Sunil Paudel, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, said that the biggest challenge in the rescue effort has been reaching the tunnels and transporting necessary equipment to the sites.

Damage to roads and access infrastructure caused by the floods has made it difficult to bring large and complex machinery to the locations. Limited helicopter capacity has also slowed rescue operations.

Paudel said, “With no roads and helicopters unable to deliver all equipment, the rescue faces significant challenges.” Currently, efforts are ongoing to transport required machinery to the project sites. The Nepal Army leads the rescue operations, with support from the Nepal Police, Armed Police Forces, project technicians, foreign experts, and volunteers.

Technical equipment issues have also caused delays. For example, work halted for about one and a half hours when an excavator’s tooth broke but was quickly resolved.

“Because these are complex machines, some parts must be imported while others can be sourced locally. We are coordinating and managing this,” he added.

Giriraj Adhikari, director of the Upper Trishuli-1 project—where the highest number of people remain out of contact—said that heavy machinery has yet to reach the site to aid rescue. A mini excavator was only delivered recently.

He said, “The rescue is extremely difficult. Roads are completely destroyed, bridges are missing, there is no internet, and the rescue tunnel area has no electricity. The rescue teams return to the Rasuwa district headquarters at Dhunche every day.”

Conditions Inside the Tunnels Pose the Greatest Challenges

Geotechnical engineer Uday Raj Nyaupane explained that tunnel rescue cannot proceed with a single method. Conditions inside the tunnels—water, mud, rocks, wood, and other obstacles—require changing strategies repeatedly.

He shared that rescuers have had to modify plans multiple times while attempting to save two technicians trapped in the underground structure of Upper Trishuli-3 ‘A’.

“If one technical approach fails, another must be tried. Altering techniques and equipment usage is necessary whenever conditions shift,” Nyaupane said.

Having equipment alone is not sufficient; effectively combining the available technology with the actual conditions is equally critical.

The geological probing radar (GPR) technology used by foreign experts is only effective at limited depths and cannot locate structures or individuals buried more than 100 meters deep.

He noted, “Rather than lacking technology, a combination of appropriate tools, approaches, and mindset suited to the situation is crucial.”

During rescue at Upper Trishuli-3 ‘A,’ drilling had to reach 112 meters, requiring specialized equipment. A large-capacity helicopter’s availability would ease transporting heavy machinery, he added.

Current Locations of Search Operations

The Nepal Army reports ongoing search and rescue activities in different project tunnels. At the Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, a joint team including the Composite Quick Reaction Team and project representatives is searching the powerhouse, transformer room, and control points.

A 25-member Nepal Army team is engaged in tunnel searches at Langtang Hydro. At Chilime Hydro, a team with foreign technicians is removing debris inside the tunnel. Blasting to create access routes is underway, with about 35 meters still remaining to reach the tunnel.

Searches are also ongoing in a tunnel at Hakubenshee in Upper Trishuli-1 by the Nepal Army. A joint team is operational at the powerhouse and tunnel areas of Trishuli-3 ‘B’, with continued search efforts at Trishuli-3 ‘A’ as well.

These efforts demonstrate joint cooperation among government security forces, project authorities, and private and foreign technical experts, although challenging geography and uncertain tunnel conditions are slowing progress.

‘Trained Personnel and Practice are Essential for Rescue’

According to Uday Raj Nyaupane, Nepal’s incident underscores the need for specially trained, organized personnel for tunnel rescues. Alongside technical knowledge, mental preparedness to work in adverse conditions, teamwork, and focus are indispensable.

“Many people trained in rescue operations are necessary. Going into such places requires mental readiness,” he said. “Compassion, teamwork, and a united goal are critical.”

He warned that seeking equipment and manpower only after disasters will delay rescues. Therefore, Nepal must identify available tools, their capacities, and deployment methods in advance.

Kulman Ghising: Regular Flood Designs Cannot Address Such Catastrophes

Former Energy Minister and ex-Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, Kulman Ghising, described the Bhotekoshi flood as an extraordinary event far exceeding a typical flood.

He explained that underground powerhouses at hydropower projects are normally designed above river level, considering potential flood heights.

However, on this occasion, the floodwater reached 50 to 100 meters above the tunnel entrances in certain locations—far beyond expected levels.

“Designs meant for ordinary floods cannot accommodate this event,” Ghising said, “This was a flood exceeding normal parameters.”

He noted that water, mud, and debris entered underground structures through tunnel passages due to the unprecedented flood levels.

Are Those Trapped Inside the Tunnels Still Alive?

Ghising said, “If the tunnels are not completely filled with water and debris, some pockets may still have air and oxygen.” Therefore, concluding that trapped individuals are no longer alive before the search is finished would be premature.

“Even if the tunnel is half filled, there remains a chance for survival,” he said. However, the extent of water and mud, precise locations of people, and the amount of air remaining are key factors determining their fate.

Single Tunnel Access Closes Off Alternatives

The Bhotekoshi disaster also raised a serious question regarding underground hydropower infrastructures — how many emergency exits exist?

Ghising explained that many projects currently rely on a single main tunnel for powerhouse access. If that route becomes blocked, those inside cannot escape.

He emphasized that the design of powerhouses and access tunnels must include alternative emergency exits.

“There should be a small separate path or an alternate tunnel at upper sections for emergency exit,” he suggested.

Nyaupane also recommended identifying secure locations and alternative routes at project sites in advance. He noted that, at Upper Trishuli-3 ‘A’, although a large empty space existed above the powerhouse, reaching it was narrow, steep, and challenging.

This case underscores that project designs must consider not only machinery and production capacity but also how to ensure human safety and evacuation in extreme disaster scenarios from the outset.

Need to Revise Safety Designs of Hydropower Projects

Ghising stated that both existing and under-construction projects require risk reassessment following the Bhotekoshi event.

He highlighted the need to include factors like extreme seasonal events, glacial changes, and possible threat from high-altitude lakes due to climate change in risk evaluations.

Given multiple projects within the same river basin, assessment must cover comprehensive basin-wide risks rather than focusing on individual projects alone.

“Designs should prioritize not only the structures but also safe evacuation plans for workers in case of major disasters,” Ghising stressed.

He also proposed progressively transitioning powerhouses to remote operations allowing external monitoring and reducing the time workers spend underground.

However, since maintenance will still require personnel underground, emergency exits, oxygen supplies, communication systems, and safe zones must be integral parts of design.

Ministry Moves Toward Improvements

The Ministry of Energy has acknowledged the need to enhance rescue procedures and safety standards for hydropower projects after the Bhotekoshi disaster.

According to Joint Secretary Paudel, the ministry is preparing to revise design guidelines and safety protocols incorporating lessons learned from this tragedy.

“This is not reform but a correction,” he said.

He noted that government bodies, universities, and organizations like ICIMOD are collaborating to study the weaknesses of project designs and the shortcomings observed during the rescue, along with international researchers examining these aspects.

The purpose is not only to understand why and how the Bhotekoshi disaster occurred but also to develop scientific methods to mitigate future damages from similar events.

“Knowing what happened and how to prevent it next time allows for better preparedness,” Paudel stated.

• Amid a nationwide shortage of LPG gas, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Kumari Yadav has resigned, with Deepak Kumar Sah appointed as her successor.
• In the House of Representatives, MPs sharply criticized the government for its failure to address the gas shortage, demanding ‘Gas, not ministers.’
• Former secretaries and experts attribute the gas shortage primarily to disorganized distribution systems, weak monitoring, and lack of storage facilities.

September 11, Kathmandu – A severe shortage of cooking LPG gas persists across Kathmandu Valley and various districts of Nepal. Citizens are seen roaming streets carrying empty cylinders; some have cooked rice on the roadside, while others have staged protests demanding the government provide gas.

Faced with widespread criticism and mounting pressure as consumers’ stoves remain unlit, Industry, Commerce and Supplies Minister Gauri Kumari Yadav tendered her resignation.

More than two and a half months have passed since Balendra Shah (Balen Shah) formed his government, yet for the ordinary people enduring the acute gas shortage, the ministerial resignation and new appointment remain a major talking point. Still, a prevailing question lingers: ‘Will the empty cylinders at home finally be refilled with the change in ministers?’

Citizens had hoped the new government would ensure smooth supply, good governance, and end black market activities, but they are now left disappointed.

The situation is so dire that consumers are forced to pay up to NPR 3,000 per gas cylinder, despite the official price being set at NPR 2,060. Authorities have thus far failed to curb black marketeering and price gouging effectively.

Instead, accusations are being directed at activists of traditional political parties for deliberately hoarding gas, shifting blame onto consumers and the public.

Acknowledging the lack of support from his own ministry’s staff, poor cooperation from Nepal Oil Corporation, and failure to break the cartel of gas traders, Gauri Kumari Yadav stepped down from her ministerial role.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Balen Shah appointed Deepak Kumar Sah, elected from Sunsari-4, as the new minister. Sah took office immediately and started working on resolving the gas problem.

However, the new minister faces formidable challenges in quickly making gas supply easier, as Nepal’s gas crisis stems not from individual leadership alone, but from structural flaws, policy weaknesses, cartel practices among traders, and insufficient infrastructure.

The shortage began as early as December 2025 (Poush 2082 in Nepali calendar). The war in West Asia disrupted supply chains, with the problem remaining unresolved. Although the government has taken various measures, they have not yielded success.

Public Outcry in Parliament: ‘Not Ministers, We Want Gas’

The gas shortage issue has escalated from the streets to the parliament. In today’s House session, MPs strongly criticized the government.

Ashika Tamang, a lawmaker from the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa), expressed dissatisfaction that the government has failed to ensure even minimum gas supplies.

‘I receive daily calls reporting that stores have gas but shopkeepers refuse to sell it. It’s like gold is available but I have broken ears. Is there a mafia bigger than the government in this country?’ she said.

MP Tamang warned the two-thirds government that the public cannot be left hungry due to lack of gas in shops.

‘If there really is no gas, then declare it immediately and tell people to find alternate cooking methods. Changing ministers every month without addressing the issue will only make things worse,’ she added.

Similarly, Nepali Congress lawmaker Geeta Gurung reminded the parliament that the public needs gas, not a new minister. ‘Though the industry minister has changed, let the empty cylinders at homes be refilled,’ she stated.

Lack of Storage Capacity and Dependence on Imports

Obstructions such as landslides on the Prithvi Highway or maintenance at Indian refineries continue to disrupt Nepal’s gas supply, largely due to the absence of a national storage infrastructure.

Nepal lacks any official government-operated LPG storage facilities. There are only 58 private industrial gas bullets providing approximately 10,000 tonnes of national storage capacity. Nepal Oil Corporation does not have the capability to operate gas bullets, bottling plants, or storage units.

The entire gas supply chain is controlled by the private sector. During crises, industrialists, dealers, and middlemen create artificial shortages that drive up prices. Until the government asserts its control, these problems will persist.

Building gas storage facilities is not a new concept. Whenever gas shortages arise, such projects have been proposed but remain unimplemented.

After the devastating 2015 earthquake and the Indian blockade, Nepal experienced a severe gas crisis. At that time, Nepal Oil Corporation planned to build a storage with a capacity of 35,000 tonnes, but the plan never materialized.

In 2019, the cabinet considered proposals for storage facilities in Jhapa and Chitwan, but these were scrapped citing government policy to reduce gas consumption and promote electricity use.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, storage and bottling plants were initiated in Jhapa, Janakpur, and Chitwan, but these have yet to have a significant impact.

Due to storage and pipeline issues, Nepal is compelled to use Indian gas bullets for transport, costing approximately NPR 600 million annually in transit fees to India.

There is a plan to build a storage facility and pipeline with a capacity of approximately 45,000 to 50,000 tonnes in Netra Ganj, Sarlahi. Government officials claim completion within three years is expected, though financing arrangements remain undecided, raising concerns the plan may remain just on paper.

Need for Policy-Level Improvements

Consumer rights activist Madhav Timalsina stated that changing ministers will not bring immediate improvements in gas supply. According to him, the root causes lie in a long-standing weak distribution system and policy failures.

‘Our distribution system, rules, procedures, and mindset are outdated, so ministerial changes alone won’t quickly solve the problem,’ Timalsina explained.

He added that poor leadership and lack of strategic vision hamper gas supply efforts. Ministers should have focused on diplomatic coordination between gas stations and policy formulation but instead got entangled in distribution issues themselves.

Distrust of government staff and unnecessary interference have rendered Nepal Oil Corporation inactive, he said.

He suggested that the new minister should be prepared to bring gas even by helicopter during natural disasters and work to build public trust.

Calls to Increase Imports and Strengthen Monitoring

Former Commerce Secretary Purushottam Ojha emphasized the need to increase LPG imports and implement effective monitoring to resolve the gas crisis.

He advised the new minister to prioritize removing road blockades and tracking all 58 industrialists immediately.

Ojha identified two primary causes of the gas shortage: inadequate imports and issues within the distribution network.

‘First, the amount of gas imported must be increased. Second, transportation issues must be resolved swiftly. Road closures have increased costs for trucks transporting gas from the Terai,’ Ojha said.

He recommended strict monitoring using data on the 58 industrialists to prevent gas leakage and black marketing.

While the former minister blamed staff, Ojha cautioned against blaming employees and stressed the importance of leadership gaining their trust to work effectively.

Industry Perspective: Market Has Enough Gas; ‘Panic Buying’ Drives Shortage

Shiv Prasad Ghimire, former president of Nepal LPG Industry Association, claimed that gas supply in the market exceeds normal levels and that ‘panic buying’ due to highway blockades has created an illusion of shortage.

Presenting statistics, he noted that Kathmandu Valley’s daily gas consumption ranges from 35,000 to 40,000 cylinders, and recently even more gas has been sent to meet demand.

‘On September 4, 34,134 cylinders were supplied; on the 5th, 29,239; on the 6th, 42,142; on the 7th, 48,109; on the 8th, 46,218; on the 9th, 53,469; and on the 10th, 45,324 cylinders,’ Ghimire said.

He acknowledged that when highways are blocked, smaller vehicles handle transport, leading to uncontrolled price hikes.

He explained that large vehicles now handle long-haul transport, while smaller vehicles distribute gas within Kathmandu, and also mentioned that imports from India have increased.

‘While normally 40,000 to 45,000 tons are imported monthly, over 60,200 tons have been brought in so far in September,’ he added.

Ghimire considered government accusations against industrialists for the shortage as unfair and unfortunate amidst current circumstances.

Sufficient Supply but Weak Distribution

Sushil Bhattarai, former acting executive director of Nepal Oil Corporation and petroleum expert, stated that Nepal has enough gas in the market, but distribution weaknesses and poor monitoring cause the problems.

‘We require 45,000 to 46,000 tons monthly, but India supplies up to 60,000 tons. However, lack of distribution coordination worsens the problem,’ he noted.

He pointed out that psychological fear leads to simultaneous demand spikes, escalating the shortage.

‘Previously, large gas bullets carrying 1,250 cylinders were sent directly to Kathmandu Valley, but now, distribution is handled by four smaller vehicles,’ Bhattarai explained.

Due to weak monitoring, he said there is practically a ‘vacuum’ in the market, and highlighted that Nepal Oil Corporation lacks legal authority to penalize gas sellers for malpractice.

The data and expert analyses clearly show that the gas shortage cannot be resolved solely by political decisions.

The new minister faces significant challenges in streamlining gas supply since the government lacks accurate data on total consumption and how much gas individual industrialists import.

Dealer certification and a fair distribution process have not been effectively implemented in the public sector.

The new leadership must engage in diplomatic coordination with the Indian government and Indian Oil Corporation to facilitate gas imports from nearby stations.

Ministerial resignations will not solve the supply problem immediately, nor will roads be rebuilt overnight.

Until the private sector cartel is dismantled, state control reinforced, and a national gas storage facility built, there will be no tangible change for consumers.

Thus, ministerial changes are a political event, but the public will only gain accessible gas supply after a sustained, long-term state effort.

September 12, Kathmandu – Artificial intelligence company Anthropic has accused China’s leading tech giant Alibaba of conducting the largest illicit data mining operation to date, extracting data from Anthropic’s AI model ‘Claude’ to train its own model.

According to Anthropic, Alibaba-associated accounts interacted with Claude more than 151 million times from May through July 2026.

Anthropic stated that individuals connected to the Chinese tech giant Alibaba stole significant amounts of data from Claude, their AI model, using it to train their own AI model named ‘Qwen’.

This incident is described as the largest such case to date.

At times, a single account would submit up to 3 million queries in a day. To facilitate this, more than 3,500 fake accounts were created.

These accounts queried Claude in similar ways, recording the entire reasoning process (chain-of-thought) and the answers provided, which were then used to train the Qwen model.

After Anthropic blocked these accounts, Alibaba resumed its activity using a different group of accounts.

Interestingly, these accounts were not exclusive to Alibaba; other Chinese companies such as DeepSea and Xiaomi also reportedly used them.

In February 2026, following Anthropic’s initial disclosure, similar activities were found involving seven other Chinese companies, including DeepSea, Moonshot AI, Xiaomi, Jipu AI, SenseTime, and Minimax.

With these incidents on the rise, Anthropic has announced plans to improve its fake account detection system and enforce identity verification for suspicious accounts originating from China, Russia, and Iran.

Alibaba has yet to issue any response regarding these allegations.

September 12, Tehran (RASA/AFP) – Ten Iranian fishermen who went missing from Iran’s southern coastline last August were found in the United Arab Emirates. They have started returning to their homeland from today.

Iranian media have reported that the government has facilitated arrangements for its citizens stranded in the UAE due to the ongoing war to reunite with their families promptly.

These fishermen went missing amid escalating conflict in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz has become a major point of dispute between Tehran and Washington. Fishermen operating along Iran’s coast have suffered significantly due to this conflict.

Since the war began on February 28, American-Israeli attacks including bombings of naval mines and ships in Hormuz have created severe risks at sea. According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, shortly before the news was prepared, these ten Iranians departed Dubai by plane bound for home.

They are flying back to Bandar Abbas. Earlier in July, 55 Iranian fishermen also returned home from the UAE. Reports of fishermen going missing at sea frequently appear in Iranian media.

September 12, Kathmandu – Researchers from the University of Warwick have identified a significant connection between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and gastrointestinal health. The team analyzed data from over 1.9 million participants across 23 different studies.

Compared to individuals without ADHD, those diagnosed with the disorder have about a 50% higher likelihood of experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms. The risk of constipation among ADHD individuals is twice as high. Additionally, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was found to be 58% more common, and incidence of encopresis, the inability to control bowel movements, was observed to be four times higher.

Globally, it is estimated that around 5% of children and 3-4% of adults have ADHD, with diagnosis rates increasing rapidly over the past four decades.

While gastrointestinal issues have long been recognized among individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, scientists have been investigating the so-called “gut-brain axis” to understand links between digestive health and neurodevelopmental conditions. However, there has been limited clarity on gastrointestinal symptoms specifically among those with ADHD.

This study, published in the Journal of Attention Disorders, represents the first systematic review to focus exclusively on gastrointestinal symptoms in people with ADHD. The researchers gathered data from studies conducted in countries including the United States, Sweden, Germany, and South Korea, covering participants aged 2 to 65 years.

Medical student and co-author Sara Blake from Warwick Medical School remarked, “Nearly every digestive symptom we identified—constipation, IBS, even dyspepsia—showed associations with ADHD. These issues can significantly impact daily life but are often overlooked because the focus tends to be solely on ADHD itself.”

While the researchers could not definitively explain why ADHD and gastrointestinal problems co-occur, several plausible reasons were proposed.

ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity and irregular eating habits may adversely affect digestive health. In addition, medications prescribed for ADHD treatment can produce gastrointestinal side effects like constipation.

Another potential factor is the gut microbiome. Previous evidence indicates that variations in gut bacteria linked to ADHD may influence communication between the digestive system and the brain via the vagus nerve, which serves as a key connection between the gut and central nervous system.

The researchers recommend that clinicians caring for patients with ADHD remain vigilant for gastrointestinal symptoms and proactively inquire about digestive health during consultations.

Patients experiencing complex gastrointestinal issues may benefit from specialized support by dietitians or gastroenterologists.

While the findings do not prove that ADHD directly causes digestive problems, they underscore an important association. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which biological factors, medications, or other influences contribute to this connection.

Dr. Saran Shantikumar, Associate Clinical Professor at Warwick Medical School, stated, “We still cannot say for certain whether ADHD causes these gastrointestinal symptoms or what mechanisms are involved. However, this pattern is clinically significant. Healthcare providers managing ADHD patients should consider assessing gastrointestinal issues, especially when these symptoms adversely affect quality of life.”

As the monsoon season begins, a tiny creature becomes increasingly active around homes, in stagnant water, and damp environments: the mosquito. Despite their small size, mosquitoes pose a significant health risk to humans.

Due to their role in spreading diseases such as dengue, malaria, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis, it is especially important to protect ourselves from mosquitoes during the rainy season. However, many of us tend to view all mosquitoes the same way. In reality, the world of mosquitoes is not so simple: not all mosquitoes bite humans, not all transmit diseases, and even those that bite do not always do so for blood.

Here are some fascinating facts about mosquitoes that help us better understand their behavior and how to effectively protect ourselves.

1. Creatures That Are Millions of Years Old

Mosquitoes are believed to have originated millions of years ago. Scientific evidence suggests their ancestors may have existed since the Paleozoic or Mesozoic eras. In other words, mosquitoes roamed the earth long before humans did. There are thousands of mosquito species worldwide, but not all are harmful to humans.

2. Not All Mosquitoes Bite Humans

An interesting fact is that primarily female mosquitoes suck blood. Male mosquitoes do not bite humans or animals but generally feed on nectar and plant fluids.

Female mosquitoes require blood to develop their eggs, which is why they actively seek blood meals from humans or animals.

3. They Hunt for Humans

Many wonder how mosquitoes locate humans even in the dark. Mosquitoes use cues such as carbon dioxide exhaled from the body, body heat, sweat, and scent to find their target.

Therefore, mosquito activity can be higher in crowded places.

4. The Buzzing Sound Comes from Their Wings

The ‘buzzing’ noise produced by mosquitoes in flight comes from the rapid vibration of their wings. This sound varies between male and female mosquitoes and helps them recognize and mate with each other.

5. They Don’t Fly Faster Than Humans

Although it may seem like mosquitoes fly very fast, their average speed is around 1.5 miles per hour, which is slower than a typical walking pace of a human. Thus, mosquitoes are not just fast fliers but smart in reaching their goals.

6. Lifespan Up to Six Weeks

Mosquito lifespan varies by species, temperature, availability of water, food sources, and environment. Female mosquitoes generally live longer than males, with some females surviving from 2 to 6 weeks, during which they repeatedly feed on blood and lay eggs.

7. Small Amounts of Water Are Enough for Breeding

Mosquito breeding doesn’t require large water bodies. Even small amounts of clean stagnant water around homes can serve as breeding sites. Old tires, flowerpots, containers, bottles, refrigerators, or water accumulated on rooftops may provide mosquito habitats. Hence, preventing water accumulation during the monsoon is a crucial mosquito control measure.

8. Dengue-Transmitting Mosquitoes Are More Active During the Day

The primary dengue carrier, Aedes aegypti, is mostly active during the daytime, especially in the morning and evening, indicating that nighttime protection alone is insufficient. Measures like using mosquito nets, wearing protective clothing, and repellents are essential throughout the day to avoid bites.

9. Not All Mosquitoes Transmit Diseases

Not all mosquitoes carry diseases. Among thousands of mosquito species worldwide, only a few can transmit diseases to humans. The ability to spread disease depends on the species and the presence of pathogens. Therefore, reducing mosquito populations and controlling breeding of disease-carrying species is key for public health.

10. Mosquito Travel Distances

Most mosquitoes do not fly far. Some species stay near their birthplace, while others can be carried farther by wind, humans, or other means. Some mosquitoes remain within a few hundred feet during their life cycle, whereas others have been found miles away. Therefore, cleaning individual households is not enough; mosquito breeding sites must be controlled throughout the community.

11. They Prefer Clean Water

The common belief that mosquitoes breed only in dirty water is incorrect. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes prefer to lay eggs in clean stagnant water. Water left unused for extended periods inside or around the home can be risky. It’s important to check not only if the water is clean or dirty but also if water is stagnating anywhere.

12. Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch?

When a female mosquito inserts her mouthparts into the skin to suck blood, she injects saliva containing anticoagulants to facilitate blood flow. The immune system reacts to these foreign proteins, causing redness, swelling, and itching at the bite site.

13. Mosquitoes Don’t Only Need Blood

It’s a misconception that mosquito diet consists only of blood. Both male and female mosquitoes primarily derive energy from plant nectar and other sources. Only females require blood specifically for egg development. Human blood is not their daily energy source.

14. Bacteria Are Being Used for Mosquito Control

Scientists are working on new technologies for mosquito control. Bacteria such as Wolbachia are being studied to reduce mosquito populations and their ability to transmit diseases. This indicates ongoing research into biological control methods as alternatives to chemical insecticides.