Good Samaritans join police to offer heat relief in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: With severe summer heat continuing to affect normal life in the city, the Vijayawada police commissionerate has arranged temporary shades at several major traffic signals to provide some relief to commuters and traffic personnel exposed to direct sunlight.The initiative comes as temperatures remain unusually high during daytime hours, making travel difficult for motorists, delivery workers and pedestrians waiting at busy junctions. The temporary shelters are being used at key traffic points where vehicle movement remains heavy throughout the day.At the same time, several voluntary organisations, traders and individuals across the city are distributing buttermilk, ORS packets and drinking water at public places and road junctions to help people cope with the intense heat.“The heat has become difficult to handle during afternoon hours. The shades at signals are giving at least some relief while waiting in traffic,” said R Srinivas, a commuter travelling daily through Benz Circle.Another resident, Sri Lakshmi Devi, said many people were coming forward to help those travelling in the heat. “Free buttermilk and drinking water counters are helping commuters and workers who spend long hours outside,” she said.Officials said the arrangements were made as part of precautionary measures during the ongoing heatwave conditions. Citizens, meanwhile, noted that such support activities, though temporary, were helping people manage the harsh summer conditions across the city.