Heavy rainfall continued in Delhi and its adjoining areas on Friday, leading to waterlogging in several parts of the national capital region. Light to moderate rainfall triggered by Western Disturbance was also recorded in some parts of Rajasthan, according to the weather office.
Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti districts witnessed mild snowfall while light-to-moderate rain lashed several parts of the state following which 11 roads were closed for vehicular traffic on Friday.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) today issued a ‘yellow’ alert for thunderstorms and lightning on April 1 and April 3-4 as a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect Northwest India from the night of April 2.
IMD’s Weather Forecast For the Next 4 Days
April 1- As per IMD, heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. The weather department also predicted hailstorms accompanied with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty wind at isolated places over Assam, and Meghalaya, Odisha, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura
Thunderstorms and lightning are also likely over various places in Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry
April 2- Heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, IMD said.
As per the forecast, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty wind are likely at isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Telangana.
April 3- Hailstorms accompanied by thunderstorms, and lightning are likely at isolated places over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi and with thunderstorms and lightning over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Further, the MET department said thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also likely at isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, West Uttar Pradesh and Telangana.
April 4- Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely at isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh and Telangana.
Doctors Urge Caution
Rain and thunderstorm have not only made the Delhi weather unpredictable but also brought with it several health issues for people, feel experts. Experts say seasonal changes bring in not just temperature fluctuations, but also introduce different allergens characteristic to certain times of the year. They say the weather change has especially led to a spurt in cases of influenza in the city.
Rajiva Gupta, Senior Consultant-Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram and Delhi says respiratory illnesses are most prevalent at present. “Patients exhibit symptoms such as cough, fever, body aches, sore throat and a runny nose. These illnesses primarily affect the upper respiratory tract and are of viral origin, including influenza, H3N2, H1N1, and the resurfacing of Covid-19,” he says.
Apart from these, diarrheal illnesses related to the digestive system have also been observed in patients due to factors such as rising temperatures and contaminated food and water. Allergic diseases such as asthma, rhinitis, and skin allergies such as rashes have also seen exacerbations in patients lately, he adds.
Explaining the trigger for various infections, Vikram Jaggi, Pulmonologist, MD, DNB, Founder and Director, Asthma Chest Allergy Centre, Delhi and Gurgaon says seasonal changes bring with it not just temperature fluctuations, but also introduce different allergens that are characteristic to certain times of the year. “Whether it is excess pollen during springtime, dust and pollution during summer or mould during winter and monsoon – these allergens can travel into the lungs, irritate the airways and trigger symptoms like wheezing and breathlessness,” he says.
During this weather, the seasonal exacerbation of asthma symptoms is a common phenomenon, he notes.
“In fact, sometimes, the extreme weather conditions and climate changes could also result in the onset of asthma in some people. Identifying as well as avoiding possible triggers is the first preventive measure to undertake – regular consultations with doctors to discuss any change in symptoms besides inhalers and regular inhalation therapy (as prescribed by doctors) are critical to managing the condition,” Jaggi says.
According to Vijay Kumar Gurjar, Senior Consultant and Head of Department of Geriatric Medicine, Primus Super Speciality Hospital in Chanakyapuri, it is crucial to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to reduce the spread of these diseases. “One effective way is to continue wearing masks, especially when outdoors, or in crowded places. Frequent hand washing and maintaining social distancing can also minimise the risk of transmission. Additionally, getting vaccinated against both coronavirus and influenza can provide increased protection,” he says.
He also suggests that one should remain proactive in preventing the spread of illnesses, especially for senior citizens and those suffering from chronic illnesses like diabetes, kidney disease, heart failure, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), during the times of changing weather and increased prevalence of infectious diseases.
(with inputs from PTI)
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