Hyderabad swelters at 43°C amid power woes

The temperature has increased to 43 degrees Celsius in Hyderabad with a rise in heat intensity, according to the Meteorological Department. The hot winds have confined the citizens to their homes. The worst load shedding of electricity has made life miserable for the residents.

Heat intensity is gradually increasing in the city and its surroundings. The scorching weather engulfed the city on Thursday morning, and the heat intensity was observed to increase throughout the day due to the brightness of the sun and the strong, hot winds. There was an unusual silence on the roads and in the markets throughout the day.

Most of the citizens remained confined to their homes; however, those who ventured out to carry out their daily routines were seen taking various precautionary measures to protect themselves from the heat and scorching sun, including the consumption of cold drinks.

According to the Meteorological Department, the maximum temperature in Hyderabad reached 43 degrees Celsius on Thursday, while the temperature on Airport Road was recorded at 42 degrees Celsius. The humidity ratio in the air was at least 88 per cent in the morning and at most 37 per cent in the evening. The speed of the hot winds blowing from the southwest direction was recorded at 29 kilometres per hour.

Moreover, HESCO authorities, displaying their traditional stubbornness, have further increased the duration of long and unannounced load shedding of electricity during this intense heat. Announced load shedding of electricity is being carried out for ten to twelve hours in urban areas and for 14 to 16 hours in rural areas under HESCO, while additional power cuts, cited as faults in feeders, have become a norm — alongside intermittent power cuts from morning until late at night. As a result, the citizens — especially those who are staying at home — are facing severe problems during this intense heatwave.