Blue bottle jellyfish, also known as Portuguese man-of-war, were spotted on several beaches across the city, causing fear and panic among people as many instances of attacks were reported.

Several locals were stung by the deadly jellyfish and suffered injuries.

Blue bottle jellyfish were recently spotted at various beaches in Mumbai.Shopkeeper at Juhu Beach says,"beach is full of jellyfish.Many people have been injured,since 2 days I'm helping them by rubbing lemon when they're stung.I suggest,people should avoid visiting beach for now" pic.twitter.com/c6RlvRZajk ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2018

Sunil Kanojia, president of the Sea Guardian Life Guard, stated that if anybody gets stung by blue bottles, they should immediately approach guards at the beaches who can treat them.

Blue bottle jellyfish is also known as 'Portuguese man-of-war'

"Since the last two-three days, we have been getting reports of around 50 persons getting stung by blue bottles across Mumbai beaches. The guards have been asking citizens visiting the beaches to stay away from the water," said Kanojia.

Kanojia also added that "people usually want to touch the blue bottles, because of their beautiful appearance, but one should beware as their sting is very painful," according to The Asian Age.

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Why blue bottle jellyfish are a cause for concern

Jellyfish sightings are not rare in Mumbai

They come to the shore every year for reproduction during the mid-monsoon season

But what's surprising is that this year, the blue bottles have been spotted in large number which is causing worry

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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on August 4, 2018, put up a display board at Girgaum Chowpatty after reports of people getting stung started surfacing.

What is the cause of their rise in population?

Scientists indicate that the rise in temperature of oceans could be one of the key factors behind the rise in population.

"Global warming is resulting in warmer oceans including that of Arabian sea, which makes the situation conducive for their breeding thus increasing their numbers and it would not be a surprise to find a rise in the number of blue bottles being washed ashore in years to come," said marine ecologist and director of BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society) Dr Deepak Apte.

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About the blue bottle jellyfish

Blue bottle is not one animal. It is made up of several colony members called persons.

Here's a crazy thing: Rather than being a single organism like the jellyfish we commonly recognise, blue bottle jellyfish are actually made up of several colony members called persons which are sometimes also known as "zooids".

The blue bottles feed on small fish by paralysing their prey through their tentacles

Their long tentacles stick to the skin due to which people feel extreme pain and their body starts itching

If you come in contact with a blue bottle jellyfish sting, follow these steps:

Wash the tentacle off the body with plenty of seawater and pick any remaining tentacles off with your fingers. After that, submerge the area in the hottest water you can tolerate. Then, apply an ice pack.

Also read: What is posing a threat to the life of underwater 'unicorns'?

Watch out, people!

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