LUCKNOW, Oct. 5 -- Dengue cases in Lucknow have risen sharply, with 87 new cases reported across the city in just five days, between September 29 and October 3. The latest cases have taken the total number of dengue infections reported this year to 342, according to data from the local health administration.

The increase comes after three consecutive days of rainfall that led to waterlogging at several places, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. Health officials said stagnant water left behind after the rains could provide fresh breeding sites for Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that transmits dengue.

Lucknow has 110 wards, while only five malaria inspectors and their dedicated teams are overseeing vector-control activitie...