BHUBANESWAR: Indian Metrological Department (IMD) revealed a spike in the range of 1-3 degree Celsius in the maximum temperature in Odisha since Friday due to the loss of green cover in the aftermath of ‘Fani’. Daily commuters are bearing the brunt of the resultant heat wave.
A resident of Satya Nagar Usha Rani Parija, whose shed was battered by the cyclone, said, “My condition is horrible during the day. I am not able to go out due to extreme heat. ‘Fani’ has made us realise how helpless we are in front of Mother Nature.”
However, teachers of Unit 3 Sarswati Sishu Vidya Mandir have come forward to help daily commuters beat the heat by serving ‘Dahi Pana’ near their school premises. Interacting with Orissa Post, Sulochana Dei, a teacher of the school said, “It’s out of sheer humanity that we are serving cold water and Dahi Pana. Numerous trees had been uprooted during the cyclone. The city has become completely shade less. As a result, daily commuters have to bear the brunt of excessive heat.”
The lack of green covers, however, is troubling not just humans. Buffaloes, bulls and dogs too are facing the sun’s fury as face the brunt of sun as they try to rest under broken trees. The main road of PMG witnessed very few commuters Tuesday. Girls were seen using full scarves to save themselves from the scorching heat.
Those who were riding bicycles preferred to cover their head with towel to avoid sun stroke. With no electricity, Lassi shops have been shutdown and many beetle shops at areas like Rasulgarh and Mancheswar have failed to provide cold drinks to consumers.
Debina Barik, a student of Rama Devi Women’s University said, “The only place for me and my friends to relax is Esplanade One where the air-conditioned floors save us from the scorching heat outside. However, it’s not possible for me to visit the mall everyday as the food and drinks over there are pretty costly. Line autos are charging a higher fair too which is unethical.”
