Gujarat&rsquo;s Gandhinagar city is witnessing a rapid spread of seasonal illnesses as unstable weather conditions have left residents vulnerable to a host of viral infections. What was initially seen largely in children is now affecting adults in equal measure, with complaints of fever, cough, cold, sore throat and phlegm on the rise.
After a free Sunday, Gandhinagar Civil Hospital saw record-breaking attendance in its outpatient wings on Monday. More than 3,500 people sought treatment by evening, with the Medicine OPD alone registering 881 cases, while the Paediatrics OPD reported 251.&nbsp;
Other departments also experienced heavy loads: 448 in General Surgery, 398 in Dermatology, 274 in ENT, 231 in Ophthalmology, 337 in Orthopaedics, 98 in Dentistry and 57 in Neurology. Similar crowds were reported at private clinics and hospitals across the city.
Unpredictable climatic shifts are being linked directly to this surge in patients. The city experienced unseasonal showers on September 6-7, followed by stretches of intense heat during the day, while early mornings and late nights turned markedly cooler with dew.&nbsp;
Speaking to Benefit News, Dr Meeta Parikh, Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital, said the facility is currently treating 809 inpatients. &ldquo;The sudden rise was observed on Monday, but the situation was effectively brought under control. Additional arrangements were put in place to provide prompt care, including the opening of a new ward to accommodate the increased numbers. We are also coordinating with Corporation officials to carry out contact tracing for patients affected by jaundice and other health issues,&rdquo; she said.
This swing has meant residents have been exposed to contrasting conditions rain, cold and heat all within a single week. In Gandhinagar, the difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures has been unusually wide, creating what locals describe as experiencing three seasons simultaneously.
According to Dr Dinkar Goswami, Head of the Medicine Department at Civil Hospital, these weather changes have taken a visible toll. &ldquo;There has been an alarming increase in cases of cold-cough, phlegm, sore throat and fever. This time, more malaria patients are being seen than dengue, while sporadic cases of water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea, vomiting and jaundice are also appearing in the OPDs,&rdquo; he explained.
The hospital resembled a fairground on Monday, with corridors crowded and departments struggling to cope with the sudden upsurge. Officials note that the combination of cloudy skies, daytime heat, and nighttime chills has created ideal conditions for infections to spread, leading to a surge in viral and seasonal diseases throughout the district.

Over 3,500 patients thronged Gandhinagar Civil OPD in a single day’s rush

Gandhinagar Reports Sharp Rise in Seasonal Disease

Over 3,500 patients thronged Gandhinagar Civil OPD in a single day’s rush

September 16, 2025 | 21:35 IST