Even as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued fresh heavy rain alerts for at least five districts in Tamil Nadu, experts are concerned over rising cases of heart and respiratory issues among high-risk citizens. According to the weather department, rain will pound over the city for the next two to three along with isolated heavy rainfall. According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, an orange alert has also been declared for many districts, including Thiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Villupuram as well as Puducherry.
Officials have advised residents to take precautions to ensure their safety during this period of heavy rainfall. Doctors say an increase in rainfall events can heighten the risk of death due to heart and lung conditions. According to a new study, climate change making short-term rainfall events more extreme and frequent - it leads to a rise in infectious diseases.
A new German study says the day of extreme rainfall, that could likely recur over the following five years – is usually linked with an eight per cent increase in deaths due to any cause over the 14 days following the extreme weather event. Such an event was also related to a five per cent increase in cardiovascular deaths and a nearly 30 per cent increase in lung-related mortality in the fortnight following the rainfall. Why is extreme rainfall detrimental to heart and respiratory health? According to doctors, extreme rainfall increases the risk of hea.
