Mumbai's hot and humid weather may have residents reaching for water bottles to beat dehydration, but doctors are reporting another seasonal surprise — a rise in cough, cold, sore throat, and fever cases despite the absence of winter chill. With Mumbaikars frequently moving between sweltering streets, crowded local trains, and heavily air-conditioned offices, experts say respiratory infections remain a concern even during the warmer months.

Doctors have reported a 15 per cent surge in cough, cold and dehydration cases compared to last year. “Over the past 10 days, nearly seven out of 10 patients aged 20 to 65 presenting at the hospital reported symptoms including cough, cold, sore throat, and dehydration,” Dr Chhya Vaja, internal medicine expert at Apollo Spectra Hospital told mid-day.