Recent reports from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and National Green Tribunal (NGT) highlighting severe pollution in the Ganga and Yamuna during Maha Kumbh have found validation in Ranchi’s medical corridors. Dermatologists report an unprecedented rise in skin ailments among devotees returning from Prayagraj after the holy dip.
Experts are witnessing a surge in severe itching, rashes, and particularly fungal infections, raising concerns about the environmental conditions at the religious gathering in UP.
Dr. Yashwant Lal, a dermatologist, highlighted a surge in cases of persistent itching and rashes among devotees returning from the Kumbh Mela, attributing it to prolonged exposure to damp clothing, unhygienic conditions, and shared facilities at the event. Ranjeet Kumar (57), one such devotee, described his ordeal, stating, “Since returning from Kumbh Mela, I’ve been battling severe itching and red rashes. The irritation is unbearable, and medications are taking time to work,” as reported by The Times of India.
Alarming Pollution Levels in Ganga, Yamuna
A quality evaluation report by CPCB presented to NGT on Feb 3 revealed exceeding level of coliform in river waters. These levels, which indicate the presence of untreated sewage and excreta from humans and animals, exceeded permissible limits by 1,400 times in the Ganga and 660 times in Yamuna at certain stretches, rendering these waters unsuitable for bathing.
CPCB guidelines state that for safe bathing, coliform levels should not exceed 500 MPN/100ml. However, samples taken on January 19 showed extremely high readings of 700,000 MPN/100ml in Ganga and 330,000 MPN/100ml in Yamuna.
These excessive levels indicate high contamination from untreated sewage and human/animal excreta, making the water unsafe for bathing.
Health experts attribute this outbreak to multiple factors, such as:
- Massive gathering creating ideal conditions for bacterial and fungal growth
- High humidity and inadequate sanitation Facilities
- Direct exposure to contaminated river water
Given the current pollution levels, experts warn that holy dips in the Ganga may significantly contribute to infections.
