For the 2.2 lakh Indians on regular dialysis, the monsoon season is more than an inconvenience; it is a medical challenge that demands careful planning. Waterlogged roads can delay or prevent travel to dialysis centres, power outages can disrupt home-based peritoneal dialysis, and the humidity and standing water create an ideal environment for infections, particularly at catheter and fistula sites.
Ramesh, a 58-year-old retired schoolteacher from Pune, recalls the monsoon of 2025 vividly. Heavy rains flooded his neighbourhood for three consecutive days, making it impossible to reach his thrice-weekly haemodialysis session. By the time the waters receded, he was experiencing severe fluid overload and had to be hospitalised. His story is far from unique. Across Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and other flood-prone cities, missed dialysis sessions spike by 20-30% during peak monsoon months.
Preparation is key. Patients should identify at least two dialysis centres within reachable distance, so that if their primary centre becomes inaccessible, they have a fallback. Many hospital networks, including ours, now offer a monsoon helpline that assists patients in locating available dialysis slots at nearby facilities. Keep a printed list of alternative centres, complete with phone numbers and addresses, as mobile networks can be unreliable during heavy storms.
For patients on peritoneal dialysis at home, maintaining a sterile environment becomes more difficult when humidity is high and leaks may occur in the home. Stock at least one extra week of dialysis supplies before the monsoon begins. Ensure your supply storage area is elevated and waterproof. If your home loses power, battery-operated UV sterilisation lamps can help maintain catheter hygiene. Always have a backup plan for reaching emergency medical care.
Infection prevention deserves special attention. Avoid wading through floodwater if you have a fistula or catheter. If contact with contaminated water is unavoidable, clean the site immediately with antiseptic solution and contact your nephrologist. Watch for signs of peritonitis or exit-site infection, including redness, swelling, cloudy dialysate, or fever, and seek medical attention without delay.
Diet and fluid management also require monsoon adjustments. The temptation to drink chai and warm soups increases during the rains, but fluid intake limits remain critical. Similarly, street food and outside meals carry higher contamination risk during monsoon. Stick to home-cooked, kidney-friendly meals and carry safe drinking water when travelling to your dialysis centre.
The monsoon will come every year, but with preparation, community support, and clear communication with your healthcare team, it need not compromise your dialysis care. Speak to your nephrologist before the rains begin, and make a written monsoon action plan that your family understands.