Mumbai has been hit by unexpected pre-monsoon showers, bringing with them a surge in seasonal illnesses and overwhelming outpatient departments across the city’s public and private hospitals. Over the past week, doctors have reported a sharp increase in respiratory infections, including cough, sore throat, fatigue, and breathing difficulties.
The sudden weather change follows the wettest May recorded since 2021, with the Santacruz observatory noting 34 mm of rainfall over just two days—nearly four times the monthly average. Medical experts link this abrupt shift, combined with rising humidity and widespread waterlogging, to the current rise in infections.
Health professionals explain that the rapid transition from dry, hot conditions to damp, humid weather has weakened many people’s immune defenses, particularly impacting elderly individuals and those with chronic illnesses. Several clinics and hospitals, including KEM, Nair, and Sion, have witnessed a 30-40% jump in outpatient visits. Many patients are experiencing prolonged symptoms such as persistent cough and fatigue lasting more than five days. Secondary complications like bronchitis and pneumonia are also on the rise, especially among asthma and diabetes sufferers.
Doctors attribute this to weather-related factors—such as damp clothing, sudden chills, and heavy moisture in the air—that create an ideal environment for respiratory viruses to spread. They note that airborne pathogens like rhinovirus and influenza tend to thrive in humid, crowded urban areas, spreading more easily in such conditions.
Experts are concerned about the shifting patterns of seasonal illnesses, which traditionally appeared during winter or monsoon seasons but now seem to be arriving earlier, possibly influenced by changing climate patterns.
In response, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued health advisories urging residents to maintain hygiene, wear masks, and keep vaccinations up to date. Officials warned that even brief rainfall events could have lasting health impacts and announced enhanced community disease monitoring and fever surveillance programs.
Medical professionals are also advising against self-medication and recommend seeking prompt medical care if symptoms persist. With the Indian Meteorological Department forecasting further showers and an early monsoon arrival by May 27, healthcare facilities are bracing for continued increases in patient cases.
