With Banda’s temperature reaching nearly 48 degrees Celsius and an intense heatwave tightening its grip across Uttar Pradesh, authorities in the district have switched traffic signals to ‘free flow’ mode during the afternoon peak hours so that commuters do not have to wait under the scorching sun.
The move comes as Banda recorded 47.6 degrees Celsius yesterday, making it the hottest place in India, while temperatures in the region remained above 45 degrees Celsius for about a week.
“The main reasons include direct sunlight due to its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer, clear skies, plateau terrain with low soil moisture, drying up of rivers, deforestation and mining,” meteorologist Dr Dinesh told ANI.
addition. “On the one hand, traffic police personnel deployed on duty have been provided with umbrellas and scarves; on the other hand, keeping the comfort of commuters in mind, the district administration has built shelters at all major intersections and plazas, providing a place of refuge during the scorching heat,” says SP (Bandha District) Shivraj Prajapati.
“We have temporarily disabled signal lights during the afternoon so that passengers do not have to remain unnecessarily stuck at red lights. This measure is aimed at reducing the inconvenience faced by commuters.
“Specifically, the signal is set to ‘free flow’ mode (bypassing the red light cycle) exclusively during peak hours of intense sunlight; during the morning and evening hours, the signals operate on their regular schedule.”
Read also | The temperature in the hottest region in India remains above 48 degrees Celsius for the fourth day in a row, and residents call it ‘Agni Pariksha’.
Red alerts for heatwave across Uttar Pradesh
A severe red heatwave alert was issued across Uttar Pradesh for the next three days on Thursday, followed by an orange alert thereafter. The Lucknow Meteorological Center also warned of unusually warm nights in several parts of the state.
Banda residents were seen seeking relief from the sweltering heat by drinking water and eating sherbet at roadside stalls, while many blamed deforestation and illegal mining for the deteriorating conditions in the area.
“It is very hot in Banda now. It is a kind of ‘Agni Pariksha’ for the people of Banda. I think the reason for this rise in temperature is logging and illegal mining. Stone and sand mafia is working here,” Puneet Saxena, a local resident, told ANI.
Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue in northwest, central and eastern India, as well as parts of peninsular India, for the next six to seven days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday.
According to the IMD, a heatwave is likely to occur in isolated areas of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh from May 22 to 28, while a severe heatwave is expected in eastern Uttar Pradesh and eastern Madhya Pradesh during the same period.
The meteorological agency also warned of the possibility of a very hot wave in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi between May 22 and 28.
