Natural Hazards in India

For many tourists, a vacation in India is, first of all, a vacation in Goa, with its magnificent beaches and tropical nature. However, one of the biggest dangers for vacationers in India comes from ocean waves. High waves can easily cover a careless bather and throw them on the ground, or drag them into the open ocean. Rare beaches in India are equipped with lifeguards, and locals often do not know how to swim.

A significant danger in India is sunburn, which easily occurs in a hot tropical climate. When exposed to direct sunlight for a long time, use sunscreen with a high factor and don’t forget to wear wide-brimmed hats.

In India, as in any country in Southeast Asia, there are many types of poisonous snakes and insects. Rest in the bosom of nature can be overshadowed by a meeting with a poisonous spider or snake. Malarial mosquitoes and parasitic worms, which are common in the central and southern states, also pose a considerable danger in India. In the period after the monsoon rains (November-March), the malaria risk rises throughout India.

Vaccinations

It is recommended to be vaccinated against the following diseases:

Yellow fever
diphtheria, tetanus
Typhoid fever
Japanese encephalitis (south of the country)
Meningo A+S (North of the country)
Safety in cities in India

Try not to travel alone in India (it is strictly forbidden for women). If you are not going to spend your vacation in a closed hotel area, then the best option would be to move around India as part of an excursion group or accompanied by a local guide. Night walks through the streets of cities in India should be avoided if possible.

In India, there are quite strict rules about how a woman should look in public places. Bare shoulders and legs can become a reason for aggressive harassment by some local men, which, in conditions of crowding and crowds of big cities, can have the most unpleasant consequences for a woman, as eloquently evidenced by the wave of gang rapes of foreign tourists that has swept India recently. Even just being friendly and social can be seen by many Indian men (especially those from rural areas) as flirting.

Street theft is not uncommon in India, especially in crowded city crowds and public transport. Keep money in the inner pockets of your clothes (our pouch), and when leaving the hotel, leave your passport and valuables in the safe. In case of a possible theft, it will not be superfluous to carry not the passport itself, but a laminated copy of its sheets. When choosing clothes for a trip to India, it is better to opt for the one that is equipped with hidden inside pockets, in which your money, cards and documents will definitely not get to thieves.

Many travelers advise carrying a padlock with you when traveling in India to additionally lock the door of your room (especially for cheap hotels) or a luggage box on the train.

Taxi drivers in India often try to persuade their customers to use the services of a “trusted” hotel or the “cheapest” store in Delhi. If you do not want to lose money and time, do not agree to even the most persistent exhortations of these well-wishers on wheels.

Diseases in India

Dangerous infectious diseases in India are at the top of the list of potential dangers. The tropical climate and unsanitary conditions caused by the low standard of living contribute to the fact that in India there is still a danger of contracting a number of diseases (plague, cholera, leprosy), long defeated in the West.

Although preventive vaccinations are not a prerequisite for entering India, for your own safety, it is better to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid before traveling. When traveling to regions with an increased malarial risk, it will not be superfluous to pre-drink a course of antimalarial drugs (the safest option for the liver is Malarone). Reliable medical insurance for the duration of your stay in India will also significantly increase your chances of a safe holiday in this country.

One of the first rules to avoid getting sick in India is to drink only bottled water. The same rule applies to water for washing vegetables and fruits. You can risk trying local water only in tea or coffee, where it undergoes thermal disinfection.