Chennaiites could perhaps be the best when it comes to giving ideas on beating the heat, given that the city witnesses hot climate almost six to eight months in a year. For this Kathiri, it was either staying at home or braving the heat with lots of liquids for many of them.
Malathy, a teacher with a private school at Alandur would not stop her bike anywhere on the road except at traffic signals. Not that she fears she would get a sun tan, but she simply doesn’t want to sweat. “I cover my face with a cotton cloth. When you are riding, there is some breeze and you don’t sweat. But even if I stop in a shop or anywhere for a minute, I would start sweating. So I do all the shopping after sunset,” she says.
If Malathy was somewhat successful with her idea, Sekar, a trader from Kodambakkam, doesn’t mind the sweat, but would constantly hydrate himself with liquids. He makes sure he drinks at least four litres of water, lime juice with salt and ‘nungu’ to cool his parched throat. “I roam around a lot and if I drink tender coconut or anything with sugar, I would gain weight. So, I limit myself with lots of water which many times I get for free,” he smiles.
Water pandals put up in the city come in handy for many commuters like Sekar. But in some places in the southern suburbs of the city, residents were disappointed as these pandals that briskly supplied water and at times, lime juice in the beginning of the month, shut within a few days.
However, for youngsters like Chozhan, a marketing executive from New Washermenpet, chilled beer is the solution. One quick gulp of the aerated beverage followed by some mouth-freshner helps him a lot. “The usual soft drink, fresh juice or water don’t help. With beer, I don’t feel tipsy as I am always on the move,” he says.
The rising mercury levels did restrict some to their houses. Balasubramaniam, a senior citizen from Mambalam, a brisk walker, rarely ventured out this month. “An old man like me can’t imagine going out in this heat,” he says.
Twelve-year-old Rithi and her elder brother Richard (14) of Royapettah, however, ended up spending their holidays inside the house with the air-conditioner on. “Usually we play cricket in the nearby playground or go to our grandparents place in Chengalpet. But it is so hot everywhere now and we don’t step out till 6 pm. We watch our favourite movies and songs, and play indoor games,” says Rithi.
Kathiri has taken a toll even on share auto drivers, who don’t mind suffering losses. Raja regularly takes six trips between Virugambakkam and T Nagar a day. But in May, he limited himself to only four trips — two each in the morning and evening. “Driving in the afternoon is really very difficult as the heat is intense. So, I take a break. I am just waiting for ‘Kathiri’ to be over,” the auto driver frowns.