Overpowering Stench Irritates Everyone!

Everyone struggles during heavy rains, but when climate change makes it worse and the streets and roads are filled with the smell of garbage, it becomes unbearable. Climate change is a big problem today. The rainy season gives us greenery and cool weather, but it also brings humidity and dampness. Clothes take a long time to dry, the skin feels sticky, and homes can smell musty. High humidity, made worse by climate change, can cause dirt, poor hygiene, and increase health and environmental risks.

This problem is not just about feeling sweaty or uncomfortable. It’s about how towns and villages face waterlogging, poor waste management, air pollution, and unhealthy living conditions. To understand it better, we need to see how humidity and climate change make things worse and then consider ways to reduce their impact. When we think about a clean environment, most of us focus on garbage, sanitation, or pollution from vehicles and factories.

Two hidden factors, humidity and climate change also make our surroundings dirty. They are connected and affect how our environment looks, smells, and feels. People often enjoy the rainy season for its fresh air, greenery, and relief from summer heat. But behind this pleasant image, humidity and climate change are making our surroundings more dirtier, uncomfortable, and unhealthy.

A story of a woman who experienced this struggle constantly in rainy time:

“Radhika was a 32-year-old office-goer living in a bustling metropolitan city. She loved her work and usually enjoyed her morning walks to the bus stop. But on one particular rainy day, the charm of the season turned into a trial of endurance. The rain had stopped just an hour before she stepped out, but the air was still heavy and sticky. Her cotton kurta clung to her skin as she walked briskly, trying to avoid being late. The road that led to her bus stop was half-flooded. Puddles of muddy water reflected the grey sky above, and garbage floated on the surface like unwanted decorations.

As she walked carefully along the edge of the road, the smell hit her. The garbage bins had overflowed, and the rainwater had carried waste across the lanes. Plastic wrappers, food scraps, and even rotting vegetables were scattered everywhere. The stench was unbearable, mixing with the humid air and making it difficult to breathe. Radhika tried to cover her nose with her dupatta, but the suffocating stickiness of the air made her feel restless. Just then, a car zoomed past, splashing dirty water on her. She was covered in muck.

Further down the street, she saw the drain near the corner overflowing. Frothy water gushed out, spreading across the road. Children, with no better place to play, were jumping around in the puddles nearby. The sight disturbed her. By the time she reached the bus stop, her patience had worn thin. Her sandals squelched with every step, her clothes were sticky from humidity, and her mood was dampened by the filth around her. She thought to herself, “If this is the condition every monsoon, how much worse will it get with climate change?”

That day, as she sat on the bus watching the wet streets, she understood that environmental changes were not just news stories, they affected daily life. Radhika’s experience is like that of many people in cities and towns. Humidity and climate change are not just scientific terms; they directly affect the cleanliness of our surroundings and our health. The dirt and mess during the rainy season are more than just annoying.”

Humidity and Its Effects on Daily Life

 

During the monsoon or after heavy rains, the level of moisture in the air becomes very high. This creates a sticky feeling on the skin because sweat does not evaporate properly. Our body relies on sweat evaporation to stay cool, but in humid conditions, the sweat stays, leaving us uncomfortable and restless. But beyond personal discomfort, humidity also affects our surroundings. Dampness inside homes and offices leads to the growth of mold, fungus, and bacteria. Walls begin to blacken, books and clothes smell foul, and electronic devices get damaged. Food also spoils more quickly in such conditions, increasing the amount of waste.

Climate Change and Worsening Monsoons

Climate change is making this problem worse. Scientists have observed that rainfall patterns are changing worldwide. In India and other tropical countries, the rains are becoming more irregular. Sometimes we see very heavy downpours in a short time, leading to floods and waterlogging. At other times, there are long dry gaps, followed by sudden storms.

This irregularity is connected to global warming. Higher temperatures cause more water to evaporate from oceans and rivers. This water vapor then forms clouds, and when it rains, it often comes in intense, destructive bursts. Such extreme rain not only increases humidity but also causes poor drainage systems to collapse under pressure. Streets become flooded, and garbage starts floating in the water, spreading filth and diseases.

Humidity and Climate Change Create Filthiness

Heavy rains often block drains with plastic and waste, causing waterlogging in streets. The stagnant water mixes with sewage and garbage, giving off foul smells and spreading mosquitoes and harmful bacteria. In humid conditions, damp walls encourage mold and fungus growth, which not only makes homes look dirty but also triggers health issues like asthma and allergies.

Humidity also causes food to spoil quickly. Fruits, vegetables, and cooked meals rot faster, adding to kitchen waste. The house floor gets sticky with the ease of walking on it. If not disposed of properly, this waste worsens the filth around us. Stagnant water and humid air become ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, leading to diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. At the same time, dirty surroundings spread water-borne illnesses such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea.

During the rainy season, overflowing garbage bins and open drains release strong, unpleasant odours. High humidity traps these smells in the air, making the environment unhealthy and uncomfortable. Humidity and climate change together are making our environment increasingly filthy during the rainy season. The stickiness, dampness, and discomfort are just the surface of the problem. Beneath it lies a deeper issue of waste mismanagement, irregular rainfall patterns, and public health risks. 

The good news is that solutions exist. With better waste practices, improved drainage systems, community awareness, and personal precautions, we can tackle the immediate issues related to filthiness. At the same time, by addressing climate change through sustainable living, we can create a healthier, cleaner environment for future generations. The rainy season should bring joy, not filth and disease. The responsibility lies with all of us: individuals, communities, and governments, to make sure that the beauty of the environment is not lost.