Mumbai’s unexpected pre-monsoon showers have brought with them a wave of seasonal illnesses, sending outpatient numbers soaring in public and private hospitals alike. Over the past week, health practitioners across the city have reported a significant uptick in respiratory infections such as cough, sore throat, fatigue, and breathing discomfort.
The change coincides with a sharp and sudden spell of rainfall, recorded as the wettest May the city has seen since 2021. The Santacruz observatory noted 34 mm of rain over two days—almost four times the monthly average for May. Medical professionals have attributed this abrupt shift in climate, coupled with increased humidity and waterlogging, to the sudden rise in infections.
Doctors have observed that this rapid transition from dry summer heat to damp and humid conditions has weakened the population’s natural immune defenses, particularly affecting the elderly and individuals with chronic conditions. Clinics and hospitals have noted that many of these infections are lingering longer than usual, with symptoms like coughing and fatigue persisting beyond five days. Public hospitals, including KEM, Nair, and Sion, have reported a 30–40% surge in OPD cases. A growing number of patients have also developed secondary complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia, especially those with underlying conditions like asthma and diabetes.
Healthcare providers pointed out that weather-induced vulnerabilities—such as damp clothes, sudden chills, and moisture-heavy air—have created optimal conditions for respiratory viruses to spread. Doctors highlighted how airborne pathogens, such as rhinovirus and influenza, tend to thrive and circulate more aggressively in high-humidity environments, particularly in densely populated urban settings. Experts have raised concerns about the shifting timeline of seasonal diseases. Once considered winter or monsoon afflictions, these respiratory illnesses are now appearing earlier, potentially due to broader climatic changes that are altering infection windows.
In light of the surge, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has issued public health advisories urging residents to maintain hygiene, wear masks, and ensure timely vaccination. Officials stressed that even short-term rainfall can have prolonged health effects and announced an increase in community-level disease monitoring and fever surveillance. Doctors are also cautioning against self-medication and encouraging individuals to consult healthcare professionals if symptoms persist. With the Indian Meteorological Department predicting further showers and an early monsoon onset by May 27, medical institutions are preparing for a continued rise in cases.
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