Horsley Hills recorded 31 ° C for the first time in April as residents wither from the heat
The unforgiving summer began earlier this year for the residents of the Chittoor district. In parts of the district, temperatures have risen to 42 degrees Celsius in the last few days.
The extreme heat is taking a toll on the seniors, and few dare to venture out of their homes. Several elderly people have already been taken to primary health centers with symptoms of sunstroke in the mandalas of Varadaiahpalem, Satyavedu, Nagalapuram, Puttur and Nindra.
Horsley Hills, the district’s popular summer resort, had a temperature of 31 ° C on Monday – this is considered the highest temperature recorded in April. This is definitely an indication that summer has started early this year, say citizens.
In several mandalas in the Madanapalle division, which generally have temperatures around 33 ° C in April, the mercury has risen by more than three degrees above normal.
The sudden change in weather brought strong winds and hailstorms in the mandalas of Puthalapattu, Pakala, Penumuru and GD Nellore for the past 24 hours, while the mango growers in the area were very concerned and severely damaged the mango harvests.
The stifling heat has forced people to stay indoors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Most of the streets are deserted in several places during this time, especially in the eastern mandal. At several theaters where new films have been released, the crowd is thin too. A senior official with the APSRTC in Chittoor said the occupancy rate had dropped 30% due to the heat, mostly in rural areas.
Fruit sales are increasing
Business has been brisk for vendors selling tender coconuts, watermelons and musk melons for the past week. The price of watermelon, which stood at £ 15 per kg by the end of March, rose to £ 25. Musk melon, which sold for 100 pounds per 3 kg, has also become more expensive. Lemons are also flying off the shelves, selling for £ 6-7 each.
The summer heat also affected the prices of the coveted types of flowers, jasmine and rose.