The monsoon season urges the wet earth, cooler winds and childhood smell to take out your tongue and taste the first drops of rain. But before you give in nostalgia, doctors are warning that drinking rain water can cause more damage than good.

Senior Advisor of Internal Medicine, Delhi, Dr. Radhika Menon said, “The rainwater can look pure and untouched, but the reality is far from it.” “As soon as rain drops fall, they pass through polluted air layers, dust, smoke particles, heavy metals and even harmful microbes. As long as it reaches the ground or your glass, it can already be contaminated.”

Studies around the world have found marks of dangerous chemicals such as PFA (often called ‘Forever Chemicals’) in rainwater. While Indian-specific data is limited, experts say the risk is real, especially in urban centers where air pollution is high.

Dr. Menon explained, “The first rain of the season is the most toxic, as they wash the months of accumulated pollutants in the atmosphere. Drinking this water directly can highlight gastrointestinal infections, diarrhea and long -term health concerns from chemical risk.

But rainwater is not completely unusable. In rural India, rainwater harvesting is a traditional practice for decades. With proper treatment, it can be made safe. “If rainwater is collected carefully, it is stored in a clean tank, boiled, and undergoes modern filtration systems, it can serve as a reliable backup source of drinking water,” Dr. Menon said.

Nevertheless, she warns against romanticing the idea of ​​taking a direct rain from the sky. “This may look natural, but untreated rainwater is not the same as mineral water. Urban pollution makes regular drinking. For your health, pure tap water or bottled water sticks with water,” he said.

So the next time it rains, feel free to dance in it, enjoy the cold air, and even let a few drops fall on your skin. But when it comes to your glass, think twice before increasing the toast to the clouds.