No More A Summer Resort

JEYPORE:  There is no respite from scorching heat for the people of Koraput district. Jeypore recorded 40 degree Celsius, highest of the season, on Sunday.

The hilly areas of the district may soon lose their credibility of being summer destinations, as those too recorded abnormally high temperature. Pottangi, the coolest place in the district, was boiling at 37 degree Celsius on Sunday. The hilly area, which is home to Deomali, the highest mountain peak in the State, records a maximum temperature of 33 degrees during peak summer.

The impact of heat on the people was evident from the deserted roads in several parts of the district. As per sources, nearly 60 per cent decline in traffic flow during noon was reported on Visakhapatnam-Raipur National Highway, which passes through the district.

Drivers of trucks and other heavy vehicles preferred to halt during noon hours to escape from heat.

Meanwhile, the district health department has opened a special ward in Koraput district hospital for sunstroke patients. Though no sunstroke cases have been reported so far, Health department sources said seven persons were treated for summer-related symptoms in Jeypore and Koraput sub-divisions in the last three days.

Additional District Medical Officer (ADMO)-cum-Koraput District Headquarters Hospital in-charge KP Behera said the health administration has taken all necessary measures to tackle any exigency.

“We are prepared to provide 24 hours service to treat sunstroke patients”, he added.