The Hindu : Signs of heat wave in State

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 22, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Signs of heat wave in State

By Divya Sreedharan

BANGALORE, MARCH 21. The sun has been particularly harsh on this part of India. Though it is only mid-March, the temperature has already touched 36 degrees Celsius in Bangalore. Officials of the Meteorological Centre here expect things to get hotter in the coming six weeks.

The Director of the centre, Anand L. Koppar, agreed that such a high temperature was unusual for March. "It is three degrees above normal. But on March 29, 1996, the temperature was 37.3 degrees Celsius," he told The Hindu. Last March, by contrast, Bangalore averaged around 34 degrees Celsius.

Dr. Koppar said this March, the entire Southern peninsula had heated up and Karnataka had been badly affected. "The temperature in districts such as Bellary, Gulbarga, and Raichur have touched 40 degrees Celsius and we have indicated likely heat-wave conditions in those places," he said.

"A reduced frequency of western disturbances has caused this hot weather," the official observed. These were weather systems that moved across North India - Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Haryana. "There should have been more of these disturbances as they normally induce rain and cool the area. This time, we have had dry, westerly winds without these systems." These winds had moved over Gujarat, Rajasthan, and north-western Madhya Pradesh heating up those places. And Karnataka had also been affected. As the landscape was already dry, the situation had just become drier and hotter. Besides, there had been no rain since September 2003. "Temperatures will only come down if there are summer showers," the official added.

Passing clouds

Our Mysore Staff Correspondent reports:

The soaring mercury level in Mysore has forced people to look up to the sky desperately for rain. With the temperature in the region hovering about 37 degrees Celsius in the last few days, the heat-harried residents celebrated Ugadi, New Year according to the Hindu almanac, in eager anticipation of some showers.

The gathering of clouds in the sky in the last two or three days has been the only source of solace. But the much-awaited rainfall continues to elude the residents of the city and nearby areas. Many residents have vouched that the heat this year has been one of the harshest in the recent times, confirming the observations made by the Meteorology Department officials that the prevailing temperature this year was a good five to six degrees Celsius higher than the temperature recorded during the same time in the previous years. The prevailing dry weather has not only made the residents weary but has also caused difficulties in the rural areas where drinking water for people and fodder for cattle have become scarce, despite the efforts of the district administration.

In Mysore city, watermelon traders are doing roaring business with citizens purchasing the fruit in the hope that it would provide relief to their parched throats. People are also making a beeline to buy earthen pots to store drinking water. Cold drinks and ice creams have become the order of the day not only for children but also elders. Teashops in different parts of the city have begun serving fresh fruit as well as synthetic juices to their clients.

"Butter milk has overnight become a favourite of many customers,'' claimed a roadside stall owner in the city.

Electricity consumption too has registered an increase in the city with people preferring to keep their fans turned on round the clock.

Air-conditioners in most plush offices, which were being sparingly used hitherto, have now become a necessity rather than a luxury because of the sultry weather.

Several people in the city have started going to swimming pools to beat the heat. The swimming pools, which were deserted a few months ago, have suddenly started attracting a large number of people. Many hotels in the city have started swimming lessons for children.

The depleting water level at Krishnaraja Sagar Reservoir, which is the main source of drinking water to the city, has added to the woes of the heat-weary residents.

Water supply in several parts of the city witnessed a sharp decline because of the poor storage at the reservoir. In the extension areas, people were seen carrying drinking water in pots from far-off places to meet their water requirements. A few enterprising youths have started selling cold water at prices ranging from 50 paise to Re. 1 a cup in the market areas.

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