Accentuated by the 12-hour power cuts, the continuing hot weather has left city residents reeling under scorching days and sultry nights.
The region was in for an early summer this year as the mercury soared right from April and there has been no let up in the hot weather. While residents were expecting some relief from the searing heat at least by October, their hopes have been belied as the day-time temperature has been hovering around 37 degree Celsius, four degrees above normal.
A few bouts of rainfall have not helped much in bringing down the temperature. Even on Monday, certain parts of Tiruchi district and the city experienced some slight showers. Yet, there was no relief from the sultry nights.
Average temperature
The normal average temperature in Tiruchi during October is 33 C.
According to Meteorological Department website, the all-time record of extreme weather in Tiruchi during the month was 38.9 degree Celsius recorded on October 3, 1906. Over the past decade, 2007 had recorded the hottest October when the temperature touched 38.7 degree Celsius on the 07 day of the month.
The mercury had crossed 37 degree Celsius during the month in 2006 and 2009 too. The maximum temperature recorded during the month last year was 35.8 degree Celsius.
The city has also recorded deficient rainfall this season. Between June 1 and September 30, the city had recorded 204 mm of rainfall, against the normal of 293.9 mm, leaving a deficit of 31 per cent for the season.
City residents complain that the searing temperature and the heavy load shedding have put them under tremendous strain. Residents in some parts of the city have taken to the streets already protesting the load shedding during nights.
Over the past 10 days, power supply is available only on alternate hours during the nights.
Protests
A group of agitators who blocked the West Boulevard Road a few days ago, complained that they could not afford inverters and the disruption in sleep was badly affecting their livelihood.
But middle class families complain that the inverters they have put were of no use as they do not get adequate power supply to get the batteries recharged adequately to last the entire night.
“The load shedding during nights and the early morning has adversely affected our everyday routine. After spending sleepless nights, we could hardly concentrate on our work during the day. We are fervently hoping for the onset of monsoon,” says R.Gopalakrishnan, a technician, reflecting the sentiments of many a city residents.
