Humidity Surge Grips Southern Cities, Sparks Health Warnings

Southern India’s metro cities including Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru are grappling with rising humidity levels that have pushed discomfort indexes to extreme levels. Daily relative humidity has crossed 85%, while temperatures hover in the mid 30s Celsius. Health experts warn of increased risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and vector borne diseases. The spike is being attributed to moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal and a lack of wind activity inland. Public health advisories recommend staying indoors during peak hours and increasing fluid intake. Urban planners suggest the need for more green spaces and improved ventilation in public infrastructure. Construction and outdoor labor activity is being reduced in high humidity zones. Hospitals have reported a rise in heat related illnesses. The conditions are expected to persist for at least five more days according to IMD forecasts.