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Are you ready for the rains in 2013? Watch out for these red flags
Moneylife Digital Team 07 June 2013
The much sought after monsoon is finally here. And with it come the usual issues of water-logging, illness, traffic jams and so on. Here is a compilation of information that would come handy during Monsoon 2013
 
After making us sweat and wait for over a week, the monsoon has finally arrived in Mumbai on its scheduled time. As usual, Mumbaikars should be ready for problems like water-logging, traffic jams, trains not running on time and most important, illnesses caused by the rains. After all, much of it is dictated by the tides. 
 
The Disaster Management Cell of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has studied the tides and its experts have flagged the days to watch out for.
 
High tides
As per the advisory, it is seen that during June there would be noteworthy high tides on three days, from 24th to 26th. On Monday, 24th June the high tide would be 4.89 meters (in height), while Tuesday, 25 June 2012 and Wednesday, 26 June 2012 are predicted to experience the highest tides of 4.97 meters and 4.93 meters, respectively.
 
 
July, August and September show an average that ranges between 4.51 and 4.95 meters. The highest tide is predicted to be that of 4.95 meters on 24th July. Rest all high tides till October 2013 would be of normal height.
 
Water-logging
The advisory also emphasized on a few important points that one should keep in mind. Turning off all electrical appliances and staying away from power lines in flooded areas are safe measures. One should also avoid contact with flood water as it may be contaminated.
 
If stranded in a vehicle, one should leave it and move to a place at a higher level, besides being aware of the potential flooding spots in one’s ward/area.
 
Six inches of moving water can result in one losing his/her balance and falling down, thus one should avoid walking through moving water. If required, a stick can be used to check the firmness of the ground in front. One should also try and identify/visit elevated areas in and around one’s home as places of refuge during floods.
 
In case of emergency
One very important point is to keep all emergency contact numbers handy for immediate use. Also, keep the “Family emergency supplies kit” ready for nutritional tips during the monsoons.
 
Safe Eating
Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly, particularly leafy vegetables. Some measures such as eating in moderation are of great help—this is because the body finds it harder to digest food during the monsoon. One must stick to drinking warm beverages—tea with a hint of ginger or mint is recommended—during the season as well as for health purposes.
 
For vegetarians, moong dal, among other pulses, is easy to digest and should be the preferred choice of dal for the season. Garlic, ginger, pepper, jeera powder, turmeric, asafoetida (hing) and coriander help enhance digestion as well as improve immunity. Non-vegetarians should opt for lighter meat preparations like soups/stews, etc, rather than curries.
 
Drinking boiled and filtered water is a must, especially during this season. One should also ensure that water is consumed within 24 hours after it is boiled. Avoid eating junk food such as chaat items and fried items. Also avoid pre-cut fruits and juices from roadside vendors, this helps to prevent contracting serious infections such as viral fever, diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases. They may seem quite tempting and an easy way out, but after all, prevention is better than cure.
 
Fruits such as bananas, apples, mangoes, pomegranates, cherries and litchis are recommended during this season. These are easily available and should be consumed fresh, not forgetting to wash them thoroughly before consuming. Non-leafy vegetables are recommended—these include snake gourd (turi), gourd (dudhi), pointed gourd (parwal), yam (suran), cluster beans (gavaar), apple gourd (tinda) and bitter gourd (karela).
 
Health is wealth
Diseases such as malaria, jaundice, cholera, dengue and many more are common during the monsoons and these create serious health hazards. These diseases prove to be healthcare disasters in our city, and it is therefore essential to take a few preventive steps.
 
The two most common types of diseases are water-borne or vector (carrier) borne. To prevent infection from water-borne diseases, it is very important to drink water from a safe source or basically, water that has been disinfected (boiled or chlorinated). Food items should be kept covered and should be cooked or reheated thoroughly and consumed while it is still hot.
 
Common things such as washing hands thoroughly with soap before preparing or eating food and after using the toilets is of utmost importance. Though we inculcate such ideas into our young kids, it is not uncommon that we may tend to forget them.
 
Some conditions to be kept in mind and highly avoided are drinking water from unsafe sources, eating uncooked food unless it is peeled or shelled. Fruits that are cut beforehand should be avoided. One should not litter the surroundings unnecessarily and maintain hygiene.
 
To prevent vector-borne diseases, one should use insecticide treated bed nets (ITBN) or insect repellents while sleeping. This can help keep away from mosquitoes. Clothes covering arms and legs are recommended to be worn during the rains. Do not forget to empty water containers at least once a week, besides covering and sealing septic tanks and soak away pits. Stagnant water from coolers and other places should be removed.
Fever cases should first be given preventive treatment for malaria.
 
Avoid accumulation of water in discarded items such as tyres, tubes, empty containers and objects where it may collect. Do not allow water to stagnate. Do not allow children to wear shorts and half sleeved clothes, especially in the evening.
 
Let’s join hands in making Mumbai a safer city and a better place to live in!
 

Here is the Monsoon Advisory for 2013 issued by United Way Mumbai Helpline...

 
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