Amid Ganesh Chaturthi Festivities, BMC's 'Stingray, Jellyfish' Warning For Mumbaikars

Mumbai: Mumbai's civic body has issued a cautionary notice for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, urging people to be vigilant against stingray and jellyfish bites during idol immersions. The 10-day festival, which sees numerous large Ganesh idols being immersed in the Arabian Sea, begins on Saturday.A recent report from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) highlighted the presence of potentially harmful marine creatures in the waters where immersions will occur. The Maharashtra government's Fisheries Department conducted trial netting off the coast at Girgaon and Dadar, uncovering species such as Dhomi, Kolambi, Shingti, Blue Jellyfish, Ghoda Masa, and Chhote Ravas, along with jellyfish and stingrays.The BMC has advised citizens to exercise caution during immersions, particularly on September 17, when the majority of the large public idols will be immersed. The BMC recommends that people use lifeguards and other civic resources deployed at Chowpatty and other beaches. It is also advised to wear appropriate clothing and gumboots to prevent bites and to adhere to instructions provided by public announcement systems at seafronts.Stingray bites can cause a burning sensation, while jellyfish stings lead to itching. In case of a bite, the BMC advises against rubbing the injury and recommends visiting the nearest primary medical centre or hospital for first aid. Medical facilities have been set up at every beach in the city.Mumbai's coastline, known for its abundance of plankton, attracts jellyfish and stingrays between August and October. Due to the area's protected status and lack of rapid currents, these marine species are commonly found in the sandy regions along the coast.In another news, operators of all three Metro lines in the city have decided to extend the time of the last service for the Ganesh festival that starts on Saturday. Mumbai has three operational metro corridors, namely, Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova Metro Line-1, DN Nagar, Andheri-Dahisar East Metro Line-2A, and Gundavali, Andheri-Dahisar East Metro Line-7. Mumbai Metro One, which operates Line 1, announced that the last service for Ghatkopar from Versova will depart at 12.10 am instead of 11.20 pm, and that from Ghatkopar to Versova at 12.40 am instead of 11.45 pm. Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL), which operates Metro Line 2A and Metro Line 7, announced that the last metro service from both Andheri West and Gundavali terminals will be extended by half an hour during the last six days of the festival. The last services on both lines will depart at 11.30 pm instead of 11 pm from September 11 to 17.(With agency inputs)