Severe heatwave, sultry weather troubling locals

Prayagraj: After witnessing extreme hot conditions since the beginning of this month, denizens of the Sangam City are now troubled by the sultry weather. Because of high humidity, people are keeping themselves indoors and trying every means possible to get rid of the prevailing conditions. The condition has resulted in increase in cases of skin infection and dehydration which is evident with number of such cases in OPD’s of almost all the hospitals. Weather experts are of the opinion that such conditions would prevail for next 24 hours following which the city can have some respite in form of pre-monsoon showers. The city witnessed the maximum humidity at 74% which was 60% on Thursday. Likewise, the maximum temperature on Thursday was 40.9 degree Celsius while the minimum was 30.4 degrees Celsius. On Friday, the maximum temperature decreased by 2 degrees but because of the increase in humidity, the sultry conditions troubled the denizens all throughout the day.The scattered showers early this week increased aliments like itching, skin and fungal infections. The medical experts are advising locals to stay indoors and focus on hydration as much as possible as numerous cases of the heat wave are being reported in local hospitals. “These days, the cases of dehydration and fever are being reported in OPD’s and we also suggest people to keep themselves hydrated”, said principal of MLN Medical college, Dr SP Singh. Rehman Ali, a local of Kareli mentioned how power cut is making thing worse. “Power cut occurs often which keeps work at hold, it’s difficult to be indoors when electricity and weather is doing no favour”, he said. “Humidity can worsen individual’s mood as well cause fatigu thereby adversely affecting the performance”, said clinical psychologist at Motilal Nehru Divisional hospital, Dr Ishanya Raj. Commenting on the hot and humid conditions in Prayagraj, former head of the department and expert on climatology, Prof AR Siddiqui told TOI, “It has been observed that Sangam city is experiencing more heat as compared to other cities” “As monsoon is yet to arrive, cyclone Biporjoy and also prediction of El Nino effect may affect Indian monsoon with the city likely to receive pre-monsoon showers in next 24 hours”, said Prof Siddiqui.