Old-timers say this heat is unprecedented in Trichy

Trichy: The temperatures in the city in the past few days showed a marked increase over the figures recorded for the month in the past three decades.
On Sunday, the heat shot up to 42.4 degree Celsius, which is said to be the highest in 30 years. The maximum temperature recorded in last April was 41.3 degree Celsius.
Data from the regional meteorological department, Chennai, says the temperature shot up to 42.8 degree Celsius in April in Trichy only in 1896.This could well be the hottest April in over a century.
Scorching summers are not new to Trichy, but old-timers say the heat wave in the past one week is unprecedented.
G Ramalingam, 74, a retired college principal, winds up his morning walk before 7.30 am; a month ago he used to stay out till 8.30 am chatting with friends on the Vestry school playground. "While this year has been exceptionally hot even during early mornings, the temperature has been rising significantly in the past one decade," said Ramalingam.
Summer has become a nightmare for children, particularly the school going ones. Paediatricians say children are susceptible to prickly heat, impetigo, fungus infection, dry skin, dehydration, urinary infection, chicken pox, measles and particularly diarrhoea caused by water contamination.
"The fact that hard rock is found in most parts of Tamil Nadu, including in Trichy, makes it a hotter place," says assistant professor, school of civil engineering, SASTRA University, R Selva Kumar. However, "what we have been experiencing in Trichy or all over the world is a reflection of the global warming. Extreme temperatures, be it cold or hot or heavy rainfall, is the reflection of that phenomenon. We have been experiencing the effect of industrialisation which causes excess emission of greenhouse gases since the early part of the 20th century."
"Excessive exploitation of ground water and a reduction in the quantum of water in the Cauvery and the Kollidam rivers too have contributed to the rise in temperature in Trichy," he said.
"The distance from coastal areas is depriving Trichy of sea breeze from the south east during the daytime, prompting an escalation in the temperature in the afternoon," says assistant meteorologist in the meteorological office in Trichy S Devadoss. Deforestation and the subsequent emergence of the concrete jungle is heating up the atmosphere, he added.