Hyderabad: Here are dos and don’ts for daily wagers to stay safe in rains and floods

Hyderabad: When monsoon rains flood roads and dampen neighbourhoods, many people stay indoors. But for barbers, street vendors, and nurses, work cannot pause.

These workers face prolonged exposure to water, damp spaces, and unpredictable weather, all of which increase risks of infection, fatigue, and financial loss. Doctors and workers alike say that survival in the rainy season depends on rituals: small, repeatable habits that make work safer.

Why Rain Matters for Occupational Health

Dr. R. Srivatsa, a public health physician, speaking to NewsMeter, explained the science behind seasonal risks. “Standing water is not just an inconvenience. It becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, raises fungal infections on the skin and feet, and can contaminate food and drinking water. For workers who spend long hours outdoors or in damp spaces, daily habits make all the difference,” he said

Monsoons can also disrupt transport and working hours. According to Dr. Srivatsa, “Delayed commutes and long hours in wet clothes weaken immunity. It is a hidden health cost of rain-dependent work.”

Shared Foundations: Everyday Rain-Proof Practices

Across different jobs, workers follow a few common principles.

1. Drying and Storage

• Keep wet clothes and footwear away from clean supplies.

• Use ventilated racks to air-dry tools.

Nurse Priya from a government hospital shared:

“I keep a waterproof bag with spare scrubs. Even during a 12-hour duty, I change if my clothes are soaked. If I don’t, I risk skin infections.”

2. Hand and Skin Care

• Wash with soap after touching floodwater.

• Moisturize to prevent cracks.

• Treat cuts immediately with an antiseptic.

Barber Farooq explained:

“During the rains, I keep a small bottle of Dettol and cotton in my drawer. Even a small cut from scissors must be cleaned straight away.”

3. Foot Protection

• Use rubber sandals or boots.

• Clean and dry feet at the end of the day.

Street vendor Lakshmi said:

“I had a fungal infection once because of standing in wet slippers. Now I wash my feet every night, dry properly, and use powder.”

4. Safe Water and Food

• Drink boiled or filtered water.

• Stick to cooked foods.

Nutritionist Dr. Vandana Rao advised:

“Vendors must avoid serving raw items like salads in the rain. Freshly cooked food and boiled water reduce the risk of gastroenteritis.”

5. Communication and Record-Keeping

• Share updates on flooded areas with peers.

• Alert civic agencies about blocked drains.

Barbers: Balancing Hygiene and Electricity Risks

Small salons and roadside barbers face double risk: wet customers bring water indoors, and electrical tools must stay dry.

Protective Rituals

• Tarpaulin at the entrance to trap mud.

• Ziplock storage for clippers to prevent water damage.

• Two sets of towels, rotated when one gets wet.

• Quick cleaning between customers using alcohol wipes.

Sridhar, who runs a salon in Yapral, said, “If my machines get wet, that’s two days’ income gone. I keep them in sealed pouches and check the sockets every morning.”

Farooq added, “Customers notice hygiene more in the rainy season. If the towel is damp, they don’t sit. So I wash and dry extra towels daily.”

Health Guidance for Barbers

Dr. Srivatsa emphasised vaccinations:

“Barbers handle razors and are at constant risk of nicks and cuts. Tetanus and hepatitis-B shots are essential, but many never get them.”

Street Vendors: Keeping Food Safe in the Rains

Street vendors work in the open and cannot afford to shut shop during downpours. Their biggest challenge is preventing food and water contamination.

Protective Rituals

• Raised food stands to avoid rain splash.

• Sealed plastic tubs for raw materials.

• Canopies with side flaps to block sideways rain.

• Handwashing stations using jugs with taps.

• Cashless payments to avoid wet currency.

Lakshmi, a chaat vendor, explained, “I keep all my ingredients in plastic boxes with lids. If even one box gets water, I have to throw the food. Customers won’t come back if they fall sick.”

She added, “At night, I carry one dry set of clothes. If I fall sick, I lose two or three days’ earnings. That hurts more than the rain itself.”

Dr. Vandana Rao stressed first aid: “Every vendor should keep ORS sachets and a basic kit. Wet weather raises the risk of diarrhoea and dehydration.”

Nurses: Serving Through Long Shifts

Nurses cannot stop work during the rains; instead, they adjust rituals to maintain sterility and personal health.

Protective Rituals

• Waterproof covers for charts and small equipment.

• Disposable gowns and gloves during wet procedures.

• Extra scrubs in waterproof bags for long shifts.

• Alcohol-based hand rubs when sinks are unusable.

• Increased cleaning rounds in hospital wards.

Priya, a staff nurse, said, “When waterlogging affects our campus, we double the cleaning shifts. Surfaces like bed rails and doorknobs need more attention in damp weather.”

She also noted, “If my clothes stay wet, I get rashes on my skin. Changing into dry scrubs in the middle of duty is part of my routine now.”

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Kiran Kumar added, “Hospitals should have robotic cleaning teams for drains and ensure water does not pool near patient wards. For nurses, regular breaks and skin care are critical during this season.”

Low-Cost Tools for Rain Resilience

• Microfiber towels for quick drying.

• Tarpaulin sheets for vendors and salons.

• Silica sachets to keep clippers dry.

• Gravity-tap jugs for handwashing.

• Rubber footwear to prevent fungal infection.

Checklists for Daily Use

Barbers

• Are the clippers and sockets dry?

• Are fresh towels available?

• Is a first-aid kit stocked?

Street Vendors

• Is food raised off the ground?

• Is water safe and covered?

• Is the canopy secure with side flaps?

Nurses

• Do I have spare scrubs in waterproof storage?

• Are hand rubs available near all stations?

• Are cleaning rounds scheduled for damp areas?

Closing Note

Barbers, vendors, and nurses prove that health in the rainy season depends not on luck but on rituals. By repeating simple routines, drying tools, protecting food, and keeping spare clothing, they safeguard both themselves and the public.

As barber Sridhar put it, “It’s not about big changes. Small routines decide if you can work tomorrow or not.”

Dr. Srivatsa concluded, “Workers who stick to these rituals stay safe. And by staying safe, they keep the city running when rains bring it to a standstill.”