Dol-Holi overdose hangover lays Kolkata low, sends scores to hosps
Times of India | 6 March 2026
Kolkata: Post-Holi illnesses struck the city, with scores rushed to hospitals after binging on food and drinks, while many had a bout of diarrhoea and severe vomiting after a no-holds-barred celebration over the last 2 days. Several hospital outpatients depts also received a stream of patients with eye injuries, skin rashes, and trauma injuries since Wednesday morning, which doctors say are now common during Holi, but this year saw a sharp rise.
Other than colours getting into the eyes, slips and falls during celebrations also resulted in traumatic injuries, according to Charnock Hospital emergency head Nishant Agarwal. Charnock received around 30 patients since Tuesday afternoon. "These injuries happen routinely during Holi period, and this year we saw more limb injuries. Other than binge drinking and overeating, exposure to heat triggers sudden dizziness and nausea. We received multiple such patients with cuts and even fractures. We treated trauma injury patients who slipped or fell after being hurled into a pool of colours. While they often hit the surface of such pools, they also end up gulping chemical-laden water, resulting in severe stomach upset," added Agarwal.
BP Poddar Hospital saw a surge in patients presenting with dehydration, acute gastritis, and alcohol-related illness. "Most cases involve persistent vomiting, abdominal discomfort, dizziness, and generalised weakness following binge drinking combined with prolonged exposure to heat. While most patients are managed in the OPD, we received 3 patients in our emergency dept," said Rajdip Sen, consultant physician, BP Poddar.
Post Holi, there was a rise in patients with alcohol-related illnesses, eye injuries, and heat-related complications, said Sarbajit Ray, consultant physician, ILS Hospitals, Salt Lake.
He added that prolonged exposure to heat while celebrating outdoors, especially when combined with alcohol consumption, also resulted in dehydration, heat exhaustion, or sudden loss of consciousness.
"We saw many with these symptoms. Additionally, eye irritation or injuries from colours are commonly reported after Holi."
After the celebration, people with sensitive skin reported to Techno DAMA Hospital with dermatitis, rashes, and even chemical burns. "Patients with asthma suffered flare-ups, which was quite a serious concern for us. We also received diabetic patients who came with high blood sugar levels due to consumption of the sweets and high-calorie drinks," said medical superintendent MS Purkait.
Chemical burns from toxic synthetic colours and corneal abrasions from water balloons were the most common — and sometimes irreversible — injuries treated at several branches of Disha Eye Hospitals over the last 3 days. "If colours enter the eye, absolutely avoid rubbing it; instead, rinse thoroughly with clean water and seek immediate medical attention," said Aditya Pradhan, senior consultant - cornea & external disease, Disha Eye Hospitals.