Authorities warn of disease risk during 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu

Vijayawada: Health authorities have raised concerns over impending health hazards like viral and bacterial infections, including gastroenteritis, during the 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu.

Godavari is getting polluted with municipal and industrial waste being released into it along the river’s course. These wastes pollute the river, making the water a carrier of various harmful bacteria, which can cause a variety of diseases, mainly related to stomach and lungs.

Only devotees habituated to taking regular dips in rivers like Godavari, Krishna and others may have developed resistance to these diseases.

A health expert said, “Devotees must maintain personal hygiene and sanitation before and after taking a dip in the river, so that it helps them remain safe from health issues.”

At the same time, authorities need to keep a close watch on deaths by drowning in the river. Master swimmers will need to be deployed round the clock to save devotees from this particular death.