Bengaluru: Rains, thunderstorms to continue; doctors issue infection warning
Heavy rains accompanied by thundershowers and gusty winds will likely continue in Bengaluru till May 29, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather office also advised people to stay indoors and avoid travel if possible. Meanwhile, medical specialists have cautioned Bengaluru residents about water-borne illnesses that can be induced by climate change.
Why does this story matter?
Pre-monsoon rains, coupled with thundershowers, gusty winds, and hailstorms, have severely pounded portions of Bengaluru, resulting in many deaths and property damage. Additionally, the city is struggling with a number of infrastructural issues, such as newly emerging sinkholes and flooded roadways—posing a major risk to commuters. On Sunday alone, two persons, including an Infosys employee, drowned after getting stuck in a stormwater drain.
Rainfall to continue till May 29: IMD
The IMD forecast thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds in certain areas till Friday. Rain is predicted to linger through the end of the month, with thunderstorms possible until May 29. The weather service has also encouraged residents to stay home, cover windows and doors, and avoid travel if possible. It advised people to avoid using trees or concrete walls for cover.
Doctors warn against water-borne, other diseases
Meanwhile, doctors issued a health warning to Bengaluru residents, saying that the present rainy season might result in water-borne illnesses. People in waterlogged areas are at risk of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and chikungunya, as well as bacterial infections such as typhoid and cholera, they said. Viral illnesses such as Hepatitis A and B, and viral diarrhea also pose a risk.
Rain-related incidents kill 52 in Bengaluru in 2 months
Official estimates said that the persistent rains killed 52 people in two months, the Free Press Journal reported. Some deaths were due to fallen trees, thunderclaps, or people being washed away by floodwaters, according to officials. The torrential rains have also badly impacted the Old Mysuru area, with several uprooted trees breaking high-tension power lines and creating power outages in various parts.
