Tiruchi sizzles at 40 degrees Celsius
Summer is off to an early and blistering start this
year, with the city already recording day time temperature three degrees
above normal.
Accentuated by the continuing dry
spell after the monsoon failure last year and the 10 to 12-hour power
cuts, the summer has the city residents reeling. The soaring mercury
holds out the threat of a long summer ahead of the next three months.
The mercury has been climbing steadily over the past few days with the
daytime temperature touching 40 degree Celsius on Friday, three degrees
above normal, making for scorching days and sultry nights. The minimum
temperature was 27 degree Celsius, two degrees above normal. The daytime
temperature in some neighbouring districts such as Karur, Perambalur,
Ariyalur, and Pudukottai districts has been rising over the past week.
The Meteorological Department website forecast for the next three days
says the maximum temperature will be between 40 and 41 degree Celsius.
This could make the month one of the hottest for the city in recent
years after 2004 when the temperature soared to 42.3 degree Celsius.
This is also the second consecutive year when the temperature has
crossed 40 degree Celsius in April. Last year, the hottest days were
April 18 and 19 when the city recorded 40.8 degrees Celsius.
The normal average temperature in Tiruchi during April is 36.9 C and
37.4 C in May and 36.7 C in June, though the mercury often crosses the
40 C mark in the region at the height of summer in May. According to the
website, the all-time record of extreme weather in Tiruchi during April
was 42.8 degree Celsius recorded on April 19, 1896. On April 18, 2004,
the city had registered 42.3 degree Celsius. On April 21, 2010, the
temperature in the city had touched 40.4 degree Celsius.
The above normal weather is expected to continue in May unless there is
some summer showers. The record for May is 43.3 degree Celsius recorded
on May 2, 1896. Over the past decade, 2007 had recorded the hottest May
when the temperature touched 42.2 degree Celsius on the 22nd day of the
month. The mercury had crossed 41 degree Celsius during the month in
2009, 2005 and 2003 too. The maximum temperature recorded in May last
year was 40.5 degrees Celsius.
As residents seek to
beat the heat, tender coconut and water melon vendors, fresh juice and
ice-cream parlours are doing brisk business. Scores of residents flock
the Cauvery riverbed to get some fresh air in the evenings.
Keeping with the general price rise, the price of tender coconuts has
shot up by Rs.10 a nut this year. Good sized tender coconuts are sold at
Rs. 30 across the city. Some of the vendors said tender coconut
arrivals from the local groves has been poor, possibly due to the
drought like conditions prevailing over the past few months. Many
traders procure the coconuts from Pollachi. But the rise in the price
has made some of the vendors vary of the demand.
“Arrivals
have not picked up yet. At the same time, I am not sure of the sales as
the rise in price may put off customers. But I have no option but to
sell the nuts at Rs. 30 apiece after taking into consideration
transportation and other costs,” says Rani, a vendor. Slices of water
melon offer a cheaper option for the harried residents, who are
fervently hoping for some summer showers.
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