Work at dawn, shut by noon: How Banda battles for summer survival

Banda/Lucknow: Well before noon, life begins to retreat in Banda – markets thin out, streets fall silent, children are locked indoors, curtains are drawn and people start looking for cooler corners in their houses.For days now, temperatures in this Bundelkhand town of nearly 18 lakh people have hovered above 48°C, and concrete walls and tar roads have been radiating the sun’s fury, offering little relief even after sunset.In combat mode, Banda has evolved its own rhythm of survival.Life now begins before sunrise – women rush to finish cooking by 8 am before kitchens turn unbearable, labourers leave for work in early morning hours, farmers retreat from fields before noon, and tea stalls and paan shops now stand deserted till dusk.By 11 am, the town folds into itself — waiting, conserving energy, and counting the hours until the sun loosens its grip.In narrow lanes, traders sprinkle water outside their shops in the hope that evaporation might briefly soften the blaze. Walls are being repainted with limestone to absorb heat.“These rituals are old, but the desperation feels new. Everyone in the village is trying the age-old, innovative ways to beat the heat,” says Laxmi Narayan, a resident.In Naraini, where power cuts and frequent tripping still exist, getting a good sleep is next to impossible.“Entire families carry charpoys onto terraces after dark, hoping for a breeze. Many pour water directly onto the floor before lying down, turning homes into makeshift cooling chambers for a few minutes,” says Aditya Tiwari, a trader.“We avoid venturing out in the blazing sun as much as possible. If we do move out, we keep a wet ‘gamchha’ ready to wipe our face,” he adds.“I open my shop at 7 am and close it by noon. I return only after sunset. Survival comes first, money can wait,” remarks Nikhil Yadav, a pharmacist.At Banda district hospital, doctors say that many people are approaching them with complaints of dehydration, dizziness and exhaustion.To help residents battle the heat, the district administration has set up ‘pyaaus’ — public drinking water kiosks — across the town.At the Kutchery crossing, authorities have even set up a makeshift shelter fitted with coolers, offering passersby a brief relief from the searing afternoon sun.