Monsoon Diseases: How to Protect Your Family
India’s annual southwestern monsoon has arrived. It is caused by the temperature difference between land and ocean. During summer, the land becomes very hot while the ocean stays relatively cooler, creating a low-pressure area over the land and a high-pressure area over the ocean. This temperature contrast leads to the formation of monsoon winds that blow from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal toward the subcontinent. These very winds carry vapour from the ocean, and, upon reaching land, rise and cool down. They help in bringing relief from scorching summer temperatures and nourish the land with abundant rainfall, consequently supporting agriculture and the overall ecosystem. However, a surge in various sicknesses and other challenges (notably the disastrous 2018 Kerala floods) is observed throughout the nation during this period. The combination of increased atmospheric moisture (humidity), stagnant water, and favourable breeding grounds for disease vectors create an environment conducive to the spread of numerous illnesses.