Jellyfish invasion creates panic at Puri sea beach
Puri: More than 50 tourists needed consultation from doctors in the past week following encounters with jellyfish at Puri sea beach, creating panic among visitors at the popular tourist destination.
Thousands of jellyfish have been spotted floating near the shoreline, causing concern among local authorities and beach-goers. The district hospital has reported a surge in jellyfish-related injuries, with patients experiencing severe pain, itching and discomfort after coming in contact with these marine creatures.
“I felt a liquid-like substance on my leg while swimming, which later turned out to be a jellyfish. The pain was unbearable,” said Kaushalendra Shukla (29), a tourist from Chhattisgarh who sought medical treatment at the district hospital.
Lifeguard Manikyam Gangiri reported that hundreds of dead jellyfish were found near Lighthouse Beach on Wednesday. “Even dead jellyfish can cause harm as their tentacles retain venom. We have been observing this phenomenon during March-April for the past 4-5 years, possibly due to environmental changes,” Gangiri explained.
Dr Dillip Kumar Behera, a skin specialist in Bhubaneswar, warned that jellyfish sting can cause symptoms similar to bee sting, including rashes, pain and burning sensation. In severe cases, victims may experience breathing difficulty, muscle cramp and chest pain. “Immediate medical attention is crucial,” Behera advised.
Puri divisional forest officer (DFO) Vivek Kumar attributed the phenomenon to possible climate change or shifting wind patterns, though the exact cause remains unknown. Meanwhile, tourist officer Sarojkant Pradhan has urged visitors to exercise caution while swimming.
Thousands of jellyfish have been spotted floating near the shoreline, causing concern among local authorities and beach-goers. The district hospital has reported a surge in jellyfish-related injuries, with patients experiencing severe pain, itching and discomfort after coming in contact with these marine creatures.
“I felt a liquid-like substance on my leg while swimming, which later turned out to be a jellyfish. The pain was unbearable,” said Kaushalendra Shukla (29), a tourist from Chhattisgarh who sought medical treatment at the district hospital.
Lifeguard Manikyam Gangiri reported that hundreds of dead jellyfish were found near Lighthouse Beach on Wednesday. “Even dead jellyfish can cause harm as their tentacles retain venom. We have been observing this phenomenon during March-April for the past 4-5 years, possibly due to environmental changes,” Gangiri explained.
Dr Dillip Kumar Behera, a skin specialist in Bhubaneswar, warned that jellyfish sting can cause symptoms similar to bee sting, including rashes, pain and burning sensation. In severe cases, victims may experience breathing difficulty, muscle cramp and chest pain. “Immediate medical attention is crucial,” Behera advised.
Puri divisional forest officer (DFO) Vivek Kumar attributed the phenomenon to possible climate change or shifting wind patterns, though the exact cause remains unknown. Meanwhile, tourist officer Sarojkant Pradhan has urged visitors to exercise caution while swimming.
