Beware, this stunning sea creature may be dangerous

Those deciding to walk barefoot along the Girgaum Chowpatty to enjoy the monsoon, beware of being stung by a marine species named bluebottles or Portuguese Man-of-War that have been washed ashore on the beach.

In fact, on Monday morning a marine enthusiast, Pradip Patade, who has been documenting the city's marine life, spotted around 15 such bluebottles in an area of 200 meters at the beach close to the Mafatlal swimming pool. "I spotted them around chotti chowpatty — the beach area — next to a swimming pool and close to H20 beach. These bluebottles appear to be like plastic strewn on the beach. They have a body resembling a bubble, have tentacles and anyone who comes in contact with these tentacles can be stung causing a burning sensation. This also leads to muscle weakness," he said.

In fact, several of these marine species were also reported on Girgaum beach on July 1.

"We had warned the BMC that those walking on the beach could be at risk. There should be an information board put up at the entrance of the beaches with appropriate instructions. But so far nothing has been done," Patade said adding that this should form the basic protocol of BMC and other authorities during monsoons.

Experts worry that people walking barefoot are extremely vulnerable to these bluebottles. In fact, BMC officials claimed that they were aware of these marine species being washed ashore this monsoon.