Flooding in India.   Photo: File 

New Delhi, July 22 (RHC)-- In northern India, public health officials are warning of a high risk of waterborne diseases as floodwaters from unusually heavy monsoon rains begin receding.  The swollen Yamuna River has caused extensive flooding across the holy cities of Vrindavan and Mathura. 

A weather forecaster in India, Pulkit Khare, told reporters: “With this weather and the time of the year that we are in, there is high chances of spread of contagious diseases.  So, especially the diseases related to gastro, the skin diseases, the viral infections, this is where we have to be on guard now that the water is receding.”

Meanwhile, the European Space Agency warns a massive heat wave gripping the continent won’t end anytime soon.