Vijayawada: A relentless surge in summer temperatures has gripped the city, turning daily life into a struggle as heatwave conditions intensified across Andhra Pradesh. With mercury levels hovering between 38°C and 41°C over the past week, residents of Vijayawada are increasingly staying indoors, leaving roads nearly deserted during peak afternoon hours.
The combination of high temperatures and humidity levels ranging from 30% to 40% has made the heat feel even more oppressive, triggering a spike in heat-related illnesses. Hospitals are witnessing a steady rise in cases of sunstroke and dehydration, with dozens of patients reporting symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue and fainting spells at the Govt General Hospital.
The severity of the heat was evident on Monday when a security personnel from the chief minister's convoy collapsed due to sunstroke during a public programme attended by Chandrababu Naidu at an Anna Canteen event. The incident underscored the harsh conditions even for those accustomed to outdoor duty.
Residents say this summer feels harsher than previous years. K Ramu, a marketing employee, recounted his experience after falling ill while working outdoors. "Around 1 pm, the heat became unbearable. I felt dizzy and had to rush to the hospital after drinking buttermilk," he said.
Medical experts are urging caution. Dr Noorullah, professor of emergency medicine at Siddhartha Medical College, warned that dehydration and sunstroke should never be taken lightly. He advised people to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight and consume fluids like ORS and coconut water instead of sugary drinks. Immediate cooling and timely medical attention, he said, can be lifesaving.
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority has issued heat alerts, urging people to avoid stepping out between 11:30 am and 5:30 pm. Weather experts caution that temperatures could climb up to 45°C in the coming weeks, possibly influenced by El Niño conditions, raising concerns of an even harsher summer ahead.
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Venu Lanka is a special correspondent, at The Times of India-Vija...
Read MoreVenu Lanka is a special correspondent, at The Times of India-Vijayawada. He covers developments related to VMC/APCRDA, Janasena, education, health, endowments, and agriculture-related stories. He holds two graduate degrees, one in business management and another in law. He completed his post-graduation in journalism and mass communication, apart from completing short-term courses.
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