Heatwave back, Akola sizzles at 45.6°C

Akola: As Vidarbha faces an intense heatwave, with temperatures in Akola soaring to a scorching 45.6°C, a citizen-led initiative has emerged as a significant effort to protect the city's shrinking green cover.Along with Amravati, Akola is among the worst-affected regions this summer. Environmental experts attribute the rising temperatures to rapid urbanisation, extensive concretisation, road expansion, and large-scale tree felling over the years. The consequences are visible across the city. Water bodies are drying up faster due to increased evaporation, and groundwater levels are steadily declining. The lack of tree cover has also reduced natural cooling, making conditions harsher for both residents and existing vegetation.To mitigate urban heat effect to some extent, the Akola Garden Club has launched a unique grassroots campaign to preserve trees during the peak summer months. The Club has introduced a mobile "Tree Lifeline Water Chariot" for watering trees across different parts of the city.The Club members highlighted that they regularly organise annual exhibitions to promote gardening across the city and district, encouraging residents by showcasing plants and flowers and awarding participants. "It is our responsibility to ensure that the city remains green and vibrant," a member said. They stressed that planting new saplings during such extreme heat is not practical, but preserving existing trees is critical. "These trees provide shade and oxygen. If they perish now, the environmental impact will be severe in the coming years," they added.The group has also appealed to citizens and the civic administration to take collective responsibility. Residents have been urged to water trees in their surroundings and contribute to maintaining urban greenery. While authorities often claim large-scale plantation drives, concerns remain about the lack of follow-up care and monitoring, with many saplings failing to survive. With temperatures expected to remain high, such community-driven efforts could play a crucial role in protecting urban ecosystems and mitigating the effects of extreme heat.