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Attack of Blue bottles – the Portugese Man O’ War – on Mumbai beaches leaves over 150 injured

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Attack of Blue bottles – the Portugese Man O’ War – on Mumbai beaches leaves over 150 injured

There is panic and fear on beaches of Mumbai as over 150 persons visiting the sea side were injured in attacks by blue bottles, also known as Portugese Man O’ War, that have landed in large numbers.

The Portuguese man-of-war has long tentacles, which enter the body and deliver an excruciatingly painful sting. The venomous sting can kill fish, but not humans, said a News18 report.

Anyone who comes in contact with tentacles can receive a sting causing burning pain leading to muscle weakness. These tentacles can even sting if the organisms are dead.

Blue bottles look like plastic or a bubble when washed ashore. They also float in water and have tentacles that cause the sting, a report in the DNA said.

Not ‘Jellyfish’

The Portuguese Man-of-War belongs to the Physaliidae family and is commonly found in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.

The name “man-of-war” originated from an 18th-century armed sailing ship. They live at the surface of the ocean, therefore, during strong winds, they are driven onto beaches.

Despite their appearance, they are not like jelly fish, the DNA reported. They are not one individual but a colony of four kinds of highly modified zooids that are dependent on one another for survival.

Based on their appearance, however, people refer to them as ‘blue bottle jellyfish’.

The ‘attack’

Since August 2, around 150 people have been reportedly been stung by the blue bottles on beaches like Girgaum chowpatty, Juhu and Aksa as per the lifeguards, said a DNA report. While many reported mild irritation many including children had developed rashes and were experiencing burning sensation.

Locals said that the blue bottles are generally seen in Mumbai, during the mid-monsoon season every year, but this time they were spotted in unusually large numbers.

A shopkeeper at Juhu Beach said that around 150 people have been attacked by the blue bottles in past two days. “The beach is full of jellyfish. Many people have been injured, from the past two days. I am helping them by rubbing lemon when they are stung. I suggest, people should avoid visiting beach for now,” NDTV quoted him as saying.

Do’s and Don’ts

Volunteers of Marine Life Of Mumbai (MLOM) a group of marine enthusiasts, are visiting beaches and creating awareness amongst the lifeguards about basic dos and don’ts to help the victims who have been stung, DNA reported.

Shaunak Modi, marine enthusiast who is part of the MLOM and met the lifeguards at Juhu was quoted as saying, “Most of us were shocked on seeing videos and images of people rubbing lemon, ice and trying other methods to help many victims including children who were stung at Aksa beach on Saturday and hence we decided to meet up with lifeguards who in many cases are the first responders and tell them basic do’s and don’t’s.”

They told the lifeguards patrolling the beach to keep it simple and at most pour sea water on the affected portion of the skin, which will help remove the tentacles that are stuck on the skin and ask the victim to head to the nearest government hospital.

“Rubbing anything on the skin can cause the tentacles to go deeper into the skin and aggravate the problem. Since the effect of venom is different on people depending on age, body weight and other factor hence the best way to deal is to send those affected by the sting to the nearest hospital,” he said.

Global Warming the reason?

Scientists indicate that rising temperatures of oceans could be one of the key factors behind the population boom, said a report.

Marine ecologist and Director of BNHS Dr Deepak Apte was quoted by DNA as saying that earlier Blue bottles that live in deeper oceans would be found washed ashore in the beginning of monsoons due to strong winds and currents and were seen for a fewer days. However, there is an obvious change in not only their arrival but also their numbers and while there have been no study, yet the trend is a clear indicator.

“Global warming is resulting in warmer oceans including that of Arabian sea, which makes the situation conducive for their breeding thus increasing their numbers and it would not be a surprise to find a rise in the number of blue bottles being washed ashore in years to come,” he said.

Former principal scientist at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Dr Vinay Deshmukh informed that in the last three decades the temperature of Arabian sea has increased by 0.8 degree Celsius and while it might mean nothing for us but even this slight change has far reaching impact on the marine organisms and if there is a population boom of blue bottles its obvious that they will be washed more in numbers along the coast.

Deshmukh said that there has been rise in numbers of blue bottles showing up on beaches across several countries including Australia and a proper answer would require a longer study and data collection.

Another senior marine scientist said that it was something to be worried about as increase of any species indicates something is wrong in the ecosystem.

“Their rising numbers indicates that chances are that their predators have reduced and if one observes closely over fishing, pollution in the ocean is affecting many species including turtles, who prey upon these and keep their population in control,” he said.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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