The relentless heatwave and increasing humidity are impacting the lives of residents of Visakhapatnam. The season is being described as one of the harshest summers experienced in recent years. In an effort to beat the heat, people are opting to remain indoors.

Although the maximum temperatures have been hovering around 36°C for the past few days, residents say that the high humidity levels are making the weather far more unbearable and exhausting.

The intensity of the heat is being felt from 8 a.m. and intensifies after 10 a.m. Hot winds and oppressive conditions make travel difficult, particularly for two-wheeler riders and daily commuters. Many people have altered their daily schedules, choosing to complete essential chores either in the morning before 10 a.m. or to step out again after 4 p.m. when the temperatures ease slightly.

The impact of the weather is clearly visible on roads and public spaces. From noon onwards, many areas including the busy Assilmetta, Dwaraka Nagar, Station Road, NAD Junction, Sheela Nagar, Old Gajuwaka Junction, Hanumanthawaka, and Car Shed Junction remain largely deserted as people stay indoors. Daytime travel has reduced considerably, with many residents avoiding long-distance journeys in the afternoon hours. RTC buses can be seen running with low occupancy in the afternoons.

Meanwhile, the demand for refreshments has increased sharply. Fruit juice shops, lassi stores, coconut shops have been doing brisk business. Over the past week, the number of water and buttermilk kiosks has nearly doubled in several areas, especially along the NH-16, where volunteers and organisations can be seen distributing free refreshments to travellers and commuters. These stalls have been receiving overwhelming response from the public as people look for ways to cope with the scorching weather conditions.

Sanitation staff

The GVMC has asked its nearly over 6,000 sanitation staff to attend duties from 5.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Meanwhile, the Corporation has set up 198 water kiosks (Chalivendrams) and 52 green shelters for commuters across the city.

Traffic staff

The traffic police have been receiving buttermilk, drinking water bottles from time to time to help them cope with the scorching heat. Elderly traffic personnel are being assigned morning and evening shifts to ensure they are not exposed to the harsh afternoon heat.

Block in KGH

Officials from the King George Hospital (KGH) have set-up a 10-bed isolation ward to treat heatstroke victims. Additionally, a three-bed facility has been allotted in the Acute Medical care Unit. More than 10 people have been treated over the last few days.