Sun continues to beat down hard as summer intensifies in Visakhapatnam

As the sun continues to beat down hard this summer, the mercury levels have been on the constant rise over the past week in Visakhapatnam. Friday too was no different as the district was tested to yet another exhausting day. Reportedly, with the temperature in Chodavaram being recorded at 40.3°C on Friday, many areas witnessed deserted scenes with residents not preferring to venture out in the heat.

With the mercury levels soaring from 9 am in the morning, pedestrians and motorcyclists are among the hapless souls braving the searing conditions. “Despite the scorching heat, my work demands me to travel across the city on a two-wheeler for most of the day. With the heat intensifying in the last couple of days, the task of braving the sun has got all the more tougher,” shares Siva Kumar, who is a marketing professional in Visakhapatnam city.

It may be noted that Visakhapatnam recently recorded its highest maximum temperature this season. “The surge in pollution from the industries and vehicles has been a major contributor to the increasingly exasperating summer seasons in Visakhapatnam. Chopping down trees hasn’t helped better the situation either. The conditions are even more exhausting for infants and senior citizens,” says Rajeswara Rao, who has been living in the city for the past four decades.

And it is not just Visakhapatnam that has been facing the brunt of the scorching sun this season. Reportedly, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heat wave warning in Telangana for a few days. On Friday, while Adilabad recorded a maximum temperature of 44°C, Nizamabad saw the mercury rise to 43°C. The state capital Hyderabad too recorded its highest maximum temperature this season with the mercury touching 42.2°C on Friday.