People heaved a sigh of relief as the 25-day Kathiri season that began on May 4 ended on Tuesday. Like the last two years, showers brought some relief during the hot spell and there were no incidents of heat strokes or heat-related emergencies reported from the district during the period.
The Kathiri season began on May 4 with mercury touching 105 degree Fahrenheit and ended on the same note on May 28. The highest temperature was recorded on two days, May 11 and May 17, when mercury touched 111 degrees Fahrenheit (43.9 degree Celsius). Barring two days, May 16 and 27, when the temperature dropped below 100 degree Fahrenheit, on most of the days the temperature hovered between 102 and 109 degree Fahrenheit.
Most of the district experienced hot and humid weather during the season. The area received rain on at least seven days, and although it was welcome, it provided scant relief as the temperature remained high.
This year, people seemed to have been better prepared for the hot spell with a majority remaining indoors during the hottest hours of the day. People kept themselves hydrated with cool drinks, fruit juices, tender coconuts, ragi gruel and other refreshing drinks. There were no incidents of heat strokes or heat-related emergencies during this period.
The temple festivities also provided a diversion for people, who immersed themselves in traditional celebrations even as they escaped the Kathiri heat. Several philanthropic devotees distributed free food, buttermilk and jaggery water to visitors at the festivals.
This was witnessed at the Sirasu festival at Gudiyattam, considered to be one of the biggest in the district and had attracted thousands of people from across the state. Many temples had also organised the annual Brahmostavam celebrations.
