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Banda Swelters: Life Reshaped by Record 48C Heat
2 Jun
Summary
- Banda, India, endured over a week of temperatures reaching 48C.
- Residents rearranged daily schedules to cope with the extreme heat.
- Markets closed early as produce wilted quickly in the intense sun.
The Indian district of Banda faced extreme heat in May, frequently recording the highest temperatures in the country. For over a week, temperatures consistently hovered between 47-48C (116-118F), creating an exceptionally harsh environment.
Despite these conditions, the district's more than two million residents, many employed in agriculture, construction, and transport, demonstrated remarkable adaptability. They began reorganizing their daily routines to mitigate the impact of the severe heat, prioritizing tasks during cooler early morning hours.
In the Atarra market, located thirty kilometres from the district headquarters, trade activity significantly shortened. Farmers arrived at dawn to sell their produce quickly, as the intense heat accelerated spoilage. By 10 am, the market, which once bustled later into the morning, was nearly deserted.
