The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Chittagong

Normal life was disrupted to a large extent here in the port city over the last couple days because of the persisting simmering summer.

The sunbeam turned as the scorching sunhat as ferocious flame caused skin burning apart from unusually high moisture in the air prompted over sweating no matter in the sun or at home. Busy thoroughfares of the port city turn almost deserted couple of hours after the sunrise. Vehicular movement on the streets during the daytime dropped drastically as the melted asphalt emulsion made majority of the road surface sticky.

Outdoor-workers mainly the manual labourers, vendors, rickshaw and pushcart-pullers were hard hit by the ugly summer when the mercury fluctuated between 32.3 and 35.0 degrees Celsius over the week.

According to the meteorological office here in the port city the highest temperature was recorded 33.3 degrees Celsius on Saurday. Although the day temperature dropped slightly on Sunday but unusually high humidity in the air did spoil minimum comfort to the citizens. The ugly summer enhanced the demand of water in the city and its close peripheries by manifolds. Chittagong Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) had to regret dozens of request for water mainly for want of adequate number of tank lorries.

People loved staying at home even during the daytime simply to avoid the scorching sun and avoid outing unless forced. Some of the educational institutions mainly lacking adequate facilities for addressing the adverse weather relieved their students from attending class.

Farm workers at villages adjacent to the port city had allegedly been charging additional wage for working longer hours in the field.

Wayside drink vendors were seen dealing crowd at places. Juicy fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, carrots, green coconut and cucumbers were top on the public demand. Soft drinks manufacturers are taking benefit of the unusual hot days.

Weathermen said that the port city had been experiencing unusually high temperature this year and the upward trend of the day temperature might continue for another couple of days.

The meteorologist speculated a number of storms or low in the bay by late this month. "Currently a seasonal heat-wave is sweeping the country which may intensify further by next couple of days," a senior weatherman in Chittagong said turning down the possibility of rain before April 29.