Portuguese Man O’ war ahoy!

For many years these creatures have been spotted on various beaches in Mumbai during the monsoon season. Pics/Shaunak Modi

If you are a regular visitor to Juhu beach, be extra alert, as the venomous but beautiful Portuguese Man O' War has been sighted there in the past two days. Experts working in the field of marine conservation said visitors to the beach need to take precautions in order to avoid getting stung by the siphonophore which is mistaken for a jellyfish. A siphonophore is a colony of free-swimming or floating, marine hydrozoans.

Shaunak Modi, a member of Marine Life of Mumbai (MLoM) said, "The past few days of strong onshore winds have brought the yearly monsoon visitors back to our shores. Thousands of Portuguese Man O' War are stranded at Juhu beach."

Modi also said that there has been a lot of oil and tarballs at Juhu beach for the past three days and a lot more are expected in the coming days.

People who visit the beach need to be careful to not accidentally step on or touch the siphonophore or blue buttons (Porpita porpita - also a colony of small hydroid animals) found on the beach, as this can cause severe irritation, inflammation and rashes.

For many years these creatures have been spotted on various beaches in Mumbai during the monsoon season and there have been instances of people getting stung after accidentally stepping on them. They can sting even after days of washing up on the beach. Experts also said that in case of contact, the affected area has to be washed with warm or fresh water and the person must visit a doctor.

If stung Portuguese Man O' War, a person suffers pain for more than 1-3 hours and if the venom reaches the lymph nodes, it can cause severe problems like swelling in the throat, cardiac distress and breathing problems."