Isolated rainfall took the city by surprise on Tuesday; while weather experts claim that the conditions may continue for next three days, doctors expect a rise in cases of viral flu
On Tuesday morning, Mumbaikars woke up to a dip in temperature, coupled with drizzle and fog. Although the past few days have been foggy, the isolated rainfall took most people by surprise. However, the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre (RWFC) claimed that although the rainfall was mostly insignificant, the fog and drizzle could persist for the next three days throughout the state.
Mumbai witnessed a drop in temperature with fog and slight rainfall on Tuesday morning. Pic/Suresh KK
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The dip in temperature and fog caused rail fracture and technical failure at Kalwa railway station. Services were affected at Byculla and Dadar railway station due to signal failure. Western Railway also witnessed delay due to low visibility.
Mumbaikars trying to protect themselves from the rain at Churchgate. Pic/Bipin Kokate
According to the weather experts, the western disturbances, along with moisture from the Arabian Sea, were the major cause for the unusual weather that will continue till the rain belt moves eastwards. Speaking to MiD DAY, P Ajaykumar, the director of RWFC said, “The drizzle was expected as we observed a trough (elongated low-pressure area) from Lakshadweep to Gujarat. The western disturbances moving towards north of the country, along with the trough, caused the isolated rainfall.”
Viral infections
The unseasonable weather can cause a host of viral infections, claim doctors. Dr Wiqar Shaikh, professor of medicine at Grant Medical College and JJ Group of Hospitals, said, “It can aggravate viral cold or flu, as they pass it on from person to person in the atmosphere. However, if there is an allergic condition and the patient is treated adequately, it may not aggravate the infection. Besides, it is a temporary virus that will die in a few days.”
Senior citizens and infants are most susceptible to ailments during such weather conditions. Dr Prashant Jawade, Medical Superintendent of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Hospital (NMMC), said that due to the unexpected drizzle, most people might be caught unawares in the weather and may catch a cold, as they were not prepared with an umbrella or raincoat.
“The foggy weather reduces visibility and suspended pollutant particles tend to roam in the same air that affects people’s health. The human body may also find it difficult to acclimatise to these weather conditions in a short span. It is therefore important for people to take care of their health accordingly”, he said.
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