The city is witnessing its hottest summer in the last 78 years. The highest temperature ever recorded in the twin cities of Gadag-Betageri was in 1941, a maximum temperature of 41.1 degree Celsius.
Thursday’s maximum temperature was 41 degree Celsius. The city had recorded a maximum temperature of 40.5 degree Celsius in April 2016.
The Met department predicts the mercury level to go up to 42 degree Celsius. Barring rains in and around the city on March 25, the city has turned into a virtual frying pan. The children are not able to play outdoors, even though they have summer holidays. People are not to be seen in the market and the usually busy roads like Bank Road and Station Road, due to the scorching sun between 12 noon and 3 pm. The residents are venturing out of houses only under the protection of umbrellas.
People are crowding at places where arrangements have been made for drinking water.
The temperatures have hovered around 37-38 degree Celsius in April in the district.
At night, people are having to sleep on the terraces of their houses to beat the intense heat inside the houses.
To save themselves from being bitten by mosquitoes, they are taking the help of mosquito nets.