Erode continues to reel under heat wave

With mercury soaring beyond the tolerable levels, most people in Erode district opt to stay indoors and not endure the heat.

Several parts of the district continue to reel under intense heat wave conditions for the past few days with maximum temperature touching 37 degree Celsius on Monday.

Traffic on most of the roads remains thin around noon as vehicle users are finding it very difficult to cope with the heat. “Travelling under the scorching sun is very tiring. We have to travel wearing a cap or covering our head with a shawal,” says K. Dhanalakshmi, an assistant professor at a college here.

The roadsides are now filled with vendors selling caps and glasses as there is huge demand from persons whose work requires they be on the move. People from all age groups from children to the aged people are buying caps and hats to protect themselves from the blazing sun, vendors point out.

The dry conditions and increased temperature also means that more and more persons are on the lookout for thirst quenching fruits and drinks. To meet the demand, a number of stalls have come up on both sides of the roads selling lemon juices, watermelon, tender coconut and palm fruits.

Weather officials say similar conditions will prevail for the next few weeks with no rain in the forecast.