Mumbai: The pleasant nip in the air that signals the entry of winter into Mumbai is seeing anxious mothers wrap their babies in new shiny woollens during their evening walk, while the aroma of sarson ka saag, undhiyu and gajar ka halwa wafts from the kitchen.
Now, the civic body too has issued a maternal advisory, almost fussing over Mumbai’s citizens in anticipation of a cold wave.
BMC’s list of dos and don’ts, issued as part of the National Disaster Management Authority’s guidelines, advises you to monitor weather forecasts, stay dry, stock adequate winter clothing, wear multiple light woollens, and keep emergency supplies at hand. What’s more, the advisory asks you to “stay indoors as much as possible and minimise travel to prevent exposure to cold wind.”
The advisory stems from minimum temperatures having fallen below 10 deg. C across the state. On Tuesday, Ahmednagar recorded 5.6 degrees, Jalgaon 8.4, Malegaon 9.8 and Mohol (Solapur) 6.8 deg C. In such cases, officials said, BMC issues cold wave warnings as general protocol.
The civic body’s wisdom is borne out by medical professionals as well. Dermatologist R D Kharkar, who practices in Malad, said, “Cold weather conditions in winter can aggravate a skin condition called eczema in people who have a tendency towards allergy. The remedy is to moisturise the skin.” Indeed, BMC recommends moisturising the skin with oil, petroleum jelly or body cream. TNN
