Pune: Is the water you are drinking in these rainy days safe?

To prevent and control these diseases, Dr Harshal Pandve, Secretary, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine (IAPSM), Maharashtra has recommended a multi-faceted approach that begins with safe drinking water.

The rainy season is a peak time for mosquito breeding, leading to the spread of diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)

The rainy season brings with it a heightened risk of waterborne, vector-borne, and respiratory diseases due to increased water stagnation, humidity, and changes in living conditions.

To prevent and control these diseases, Dr Harshal Pandve, Secretary, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine (IAPSM), Maharashtra has recommended a multi-faceted approach that begins with safe drinking water.

The expert who is Professor and Head of Department of Community Medicine , PGI and YCM hospital, Pimpri-Pune has listed several do’s and don’ts along with steps that citizens should take to ensure safe drinking water.

Water Safety: Ensure safe drinking water by boiling or use water purifiers, disinfectant, as contaminated water is a primary source of infections like cholera, typhoid. Boil water for at least one minute to kill bacteria, viruses and parasites. At higher altitudes boil water for at least three minutes.Use water purifiers as a certified one can remove contaminant and heavy metals

“Adding chlorine tablets to water following instructions on the packaging can effectively disinect water. Store boiled or purified water in clean covered containers with narrow openings so as to prevent contamination,” urges Dr Pandve.

He also cautioned that in case the water safety alert was severe then it was preferable to use bottled water from a reliable source for cooking and drinking.

“Please check updates from the civic body about water safety and ensure that hands are thoroughly washed with soap and clean water before handling food,” he added. The expert also advised to immediately report changes in water colour, taste or smell to the local body.

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Avoid cooking food with unfiltered or untreated water especially during a water safety alert, Dr Pandve said. He also urged citizens to refrain from swimming in lakes , rivers or any water bodies if there is a contamination alert. Reliable water filters should be installed at home and children should be educated on the importance of safe drinking water and hygiene practices.

Vector Control: The rainy season is a peak time for mosquito breeding, leading to the spread of diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. It is essential to eliminate stagnant water sources, use mosquito nets, and apply repellents. Community involvement in keeping neighborhoods clean and free of standing water is vital.

Hygiene Practices: Personal hygiene cannot be overemphasized. Regular handwashing with soap, especially before eating and after using the toilet can prevent the spread of gastrointestinal diseases. Proper food hygiene is also critical to avoid foodborne illnesses. Avoiding outside, especially street food, is very important for prevention. Eat healthy homemade freshly prepared food.

Public Awareness and Education: Public health campaigns should focus on educating communities about the symptoms, transmission, and preventive measures of common monsoon diseases. This awareness is key to early detection and prompt treatment. Seeking timely and appropriate medical advice reduces the chances of any further complications.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Awards and Recognition Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions. ... Read More

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