Unbearable heat locks citizens indoors; hot spell to continue

Prayagraj: Sangam City continued to reel under intense heat wave conditions as mercury soared to around 45.6 degrees Celsius, forcing citizens to stay indoors to avoid scorching heat, on Sunday.

The city remained second on the chart with Orai and Jhansi recording maximum temperature of 45.6 degrees Celsius too. . Banda at 46.8 degree Celsius continued to remain the hottest in UP.

Weather experts predicted heat wave conditions would continue over the next few days. Intense sunshine throughout the day till evening hours makes it difficult to move out, so summer vacation has offered a respite to students and parents alike, was the residents’ refrain.

City streets and markets wore a deserted look, also because it was Sunday and there was thin attendance at the Sangam as well. “Dry, scorching winds and relentless heat turned Sangam city into a furnace on Sunday as maximum temperatures breached the 45 degrees Celsius mark and now the city is staring at an extended spell of punishing heat in the upcoming week,” said Vinay Mehrotra, a resident.

On Sunday, IMD forecast heatwave conditions in Prayagraj with the city under a red alert, advising residents to “remain updated”. Sachet app has predicted severe heat waves in several districts of eastern UP, including Banda, Bhadohi, Chandauli, Chitrakoot, Fatehpur, kaushambi, Mirzapur, Pratapgarh, Prayagraj and Varanasi for next 24 hours.

Acknowledging severe heat wave conditions, district authorities have issued Dos and Don’ts for citizens appealing to them to take all preventive measures.