Vijayawada: With severe summer heat continuing to disrupt normal life in the city, the Vijayawada police commissionerate has arranged temporary shades at several major traffic signals to provide relief to commuters and traffic personnel exposed to direct sunlight. The initiative comes as temperatures remain unusually high during daytime hours, making travel difficult for motorists, delivery workers, and pedestrians waiting at busy junctions. These temporary shelters are now being used at key traffic points where vehicle movement remains heavy throughout the day.
At the same time, various voluntary organizations, traders, and individuals across the city are distributing buttermilk, ORS packets, and drinking water at public places and road junctions to help people cope with the intense heat. The combination of police-led infrastructure and community-driven efforts aims to mitigate the impact of the ongoing heatwave on residents and daily commuters.
Community Response to Heatwave
Local residents have expressed appreciation for these measures. R Srinivas, a commuter who travels daily through Benz Circle, said, "The heat has become difficult to handle during afternoon hours. The shades at signals are providing at least some relief while waiting in traffic." Another resident, Sri Lakshmi Devi, noted that many people are coming forward to help those traveling in the heat. "Free buttermilk and drinking water counters are assisting commuters and workers who spend long hours outside," she added.
Official Precautions and Public Support
Officials stated that the arrangements were made as part of precautionary measures during the ongoing heatwave conditions. The police commissionerate plans to maintain these shades as long as the high temperatures persist. Citizens, meanwhile, have observed that such support activities, though temporary, are helping people manage the harsh summer conditions across the city. The collaborative effort between authorities and the community underscores a proactive approach to weather-related challenges in Vijayawada.
