Pune : Baramati taluka residents are reeling from an unusually intense heatwave that began as early as February, with mid-March bringing a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. The scorching temperatures, reaching 38 degrees Celsius, have dramatically altered daily life, with normally bustling roads turning deserted during the afternoon.
Farmers, known as “Baliraja,” have shifted their work schedules to the cooler morning hours, while the Nira-Baramati road, typically a hive of activity, becomes eerily quiet after 11 am. The deserted roads evoke memories of the COVID-19 lockdown, highlighting the severity of the heat.
With April and May expected to bring even higher temperatures, concerns are growing for the well-being of residents, wildlife, and livestock. The ongoing sugarcane crushing season at Someshwar and Malegaon sugar factories is nearing its end, which will further reduce traffic and activity in the area. School exams being held in the mornings have also contributed to quieter afternoons.
