Humidity, heat take toll on residents

Mumbaiites continue to swelter as cooler temperatures evade the city. A week after winter set here, temperatures recorded on Monday were higher than normal, making it the second consecutive humid day.

Mumbaiites continue to swelter as cooler temperatures evade the city. A week after winter set here, temperatures recorded on Monday were higher than normal, making it the second consecutive humid day.

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The city recorded a maximum temperature of 35.9 degree Celsius on Monday, three degrees above normal while the minimum touched 25.2 degree Celsius, six degrees above normal.

Weather officials said that the night temperatures are high too, owing to a temporary change in the climate.

“The depression over Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea have caused overcast conditions during the night, leading to an increase in temperatures. It will continue to remain this way for 2-3 days,” said VK Rajeev, director, western region, India Meteorological Department.

The sudden change in temperature has taken residents by surprise. “It has been quite humid and I have perspired a lot in the past two days. At night, I could clearly feel the rise in temperature as compared to last week, when it was nice and cool,” said Bhandup resident Bhushan Mulay.

The fluctuating temperatures have led to a rise in respiratory tract, throat and chest infections among Mumbaiites.

“There has been significant variation in the temperature recently. We have witnessed a 20% rise in the number of patients coming in with chest and throat infections since the past two weeks,” said Dr Pratit Samdani, physician at Jaslok Hospital, Peddar Road.

According to doctors, children, the elderly and those suffering from asthma and bronchitis are most susceptible to infections due to variation in temperatures.

They say these infections are caused by dust particles, which settle in the morning due to a dip in the temperature and enter the body through the nasal passage, causing a runny nose, sore throat and wheezing.

Dr Khusrav Bajan, consultant physician and intensivist at Hinduja Hospital in Mahim advised, “Consume adequate amount of water and maintain personal hygiene. Avoid moving in and out of hot and cold environments.”