With malaria cases in Kolkata rising alarming, a West Bengal minister named global warming as one of the major reasons.

Health Minister Surya Kanto Mishra, who is a doctor himself, said global warming was one of the reasons for the rising cases of malaria in the city.

Even in cooler climes like Kalimpong in Darjeeling district, the disease has struck with a vengeance all because the snowfall has stopped there due to the warming of the climate, he said.

Replying to a calling attention on the subject of malignant malaria in Kolkata, Mishra told the state assembly that compared to 93 cases last year, already 843 people have tested positive this year. From January to June the malaria parasite has been detected among 10,608 patients.

He said Kolkata Municipal Corporation had taken a number of steps to combat the deadly disease. These include opening of more malaria clinics and massive campaign for blood collection in the malaria-prone areas, besides creating public health awareness.

His statement came as the city's first malaria death of the year was recorded last week on Surya Sen Street in north Kolkata.