Tourists in Puri are calling for urgent action to clean the beach after dead jellyfish have been spotted near the shore, leading to complaints of skin irritation from bathers. Medical reports indicate that about 50 individuals have experienced itching after swimming, with some requiring treatment. Tourists described a sticky substance on their skin, suspected to be jellyfish. Local lifeguards confirmed these reports, while officials noted that jellyfish are generally found in deeper waters but may wash ashore due to seasonal wind patterns. Environmentalists have raised concerns about the rising presence of dead jellyfish near the coast.
Puri:
On Friday, both tourists and ocean enthusiasts called for prompt actions to clean up Puri beach and ensure better hygiene, as reports of dead jellyfish frequently appearing along the shoreline surfaced.
The calls for action came after numerous individuals, particularly tourists, voiced concerns about dead jellyfish drifting in the water and coming into contact with them while swimming.
Several others reported experiencing itching on their skin, necessitating medical assistance.
According to Dr. Narayan Prasad Nanda, who oversees disease control in Puri district, “One or two individuals visit the district hospital each day with complaints of skin irritation after bathing in the sea. We are unsure if this is linked to jellyfish or another cause. In the past month, around 50 people have reported itching following a sea bath,” he told PTI.
Manik Ghosh (35), a tourist from Kolkata, recounted, “While swimming, I noticed some mildly sticky substance on my skin. The substance resembled a thick, clear gel. Subsequently, I began to experience itchy skin, which I suspect may be attributed to jellyfish.” He noted that dead jellyfish were also visible drifting in the water near the Digabareni area.
Lifeguards and local fishermen affirmed that the sticky substance was indeed remnants of dead jellyfish.
“Those with sensitive skin tend to feel an itchy sensation, while it doesn’t affect us,” remarked Govind, a fisherman.
While questions linger about the jellyfish occurrences along Puri’s coast, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Vivek Kumar indicated that they may have arrived due to summer wind patterns.
“Typically, jellyfish are found farther from the shoreline and in deeper waters,” commented another official from the forest department, mentioning that similar occurrences were noted in April of last year.
“During this season, jellyfish tend to wash ashore,” he explained, pointing out that akin events were recorded in June 2022 and May 2021, prior to the cyclone Yaas making landfall on Odisha’s coast.
Environmentalists voiced their worries regarding the deaths of jellyfish in deeper waters.
“Jellyfish generally inhabit deeper seas, but dead ones can be drawn closer to the shore by the prevailing wind patterns,” stated Rathindra Mishra, a local resident.
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