Simmering Days Ahead as Mercury Begins to Soar

Nandigama records highest temperature of 39.80 C; Next two days to be hotter
Simmering Days Ahead as Mercury Begins to Soar

VIJAYAWADA: Even as day temperatures have touched 40 degrees Celsius in the last few days, the people are in for more shock as the weatherman has forecast that the next two days in the state could be even hotter with the mercury threatening to go up by a couple of degrees.

Steady rise in the mercury levels are keeping the people, who are wary of the hot climate, indoors to protect themselves from the Sun.

According to meteorological department, Nandigama recorded the highest temperature of 39.8 degrees Celsius and it was followed by Vijayawada with 38.6 degrees Celsius. However, the highest temperature of 40.4 degrees Celsius in the state till date this season was recorded at Nellore followed by 39.4 in Vijayawada.

The hot spell that began at 9 am continued till 5 pm. Several places across the state wore deserted look in the afternoon with soaring mercury levels, with people preferring to keep indoors making themselves comfotable by switching on   air-conditioners and coolers. Some people are sprinkling water around their houses to cool the buildings.

“There will be an increase of two to three degrees Celsius in the mercury levels. When compared to last year, there will be a slight increase in the temperatures and people should take more precautionary measures to protect themselves from summer heat,” said K Seetharam, a scientist.

Meanwhile, people living on hill-slopes  are feeling the pinch of summer heat as hot winds are blowing across their areas. “We feel more suffocated due to increase in the mercury levels and are unable to stay even in our homes which have virtually turned into ovens,” said R Anuradha, a housewife at Chuttugunta.

Increasing temperatures are even affecting the livelihood of poor people and the lack of tree shade in the city has left them with no protection from Sun. “Lack of shade is making our lives miserable as we go about selling fruits,” said P Janikamma, a fruit-vendor from Gannavaram.

Students appearing for degree and engineering exams are worst affected as they have to travel long distances to reach their exam  centres. “I need to travel from Guntur to Vijayawada in the hot sun to attend my classes,” said B Harsha, a student of Andhra Loyola College.

Meanwhile, the demand for tender coconut water, watermelons and fruit juices has increased. “Most people are preferring  juices and ice-creams at our parlour and the demand has increased in the last 10 days,” said S Satyam, owner of a fruit juice stall at Satyanarayana puram.

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