Uttar Pradesh continued to reel under intense heatwave conditions on Thursday, with Banda recording a maximum temperature of 48.2 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest place in the country for the third consecutive day, according to the India Meteorological Department.
Residents in Banda were seen seeking relief from the scorching heat by consuming sherbet and drinking water at roadside stalls.
Local resident Puneet Saxena blamed deforestation and illegal mining activities for worsening temperatures in the district.
“It is scorching hot in Banda right now. It is a sort of ‘Agni Pariksha’ for Banda residents. I believe the reason for this rise in temperature is trees being cut down and illegal mining. Stone and sand mafia operate here,” he said.
Another resident, Syed Imran Ali, said widespread tree cutting for road construction had reduced natural cooling in the area.
“The heat conditions are so bad that the temperature is continuously increasing. The biggest reason is illegal cutting down of trees to make roads. All the old huge trees that caused cooling due to their shadows have ceased to exist here,” he said.
Amid rising temperatures, Lucknow Civil Hospital has established a dedicated cold room facility and special wards for patients suffering from heat stress and heatstroke as temperatures in the state capital crossed 42 degrees Celsius.
Chief Medical Superintendent of Lucknow Civil Hospital, Devesh Chandra Pandey, said the hospital had made extensive preparations following government instructions.
“Considering the scorching heat this year, we have been directed by the government to be fully prepared. We have made a ward of 10 beds. We have set up a cold room area, which encapsulates three rooms where the AC is continuously on. We have stocked up ORS and ice packs,” he said.
He added that no critically serious heatstroke case had been reported so far.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for several districts of western Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, amid continuing heatwave conditions.
Meteorologist Dinesh said Banda has been witnessing temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius for nearly a week.
He attributed the extreme heat to factors such as direct sunlight due to proximity to the Tropic of Cancer, clear skies, plateau terrain, low soil moisture, drying rivers, deforestation and mining activities.
Meanwhile, physician Vineet Sachan said hospitals are witnessing a rise in patients suffering from fever, dizziness, vomiting and diarrhoea due to the prolonged heatwave.
District Magistrate Amit Aseri said hospitals and ambulance services have been placed on alert, while advisories are being issued asking people to avoid stepping out during peak afternoon hours.
-ANI
