As the strong isolation heatwave prevails in West Bengal, the maximum temperature according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday morning touched 40.3°C in Kolkata. Although it remained partly cloudy in various parts of the city for a brief period, the heat and humidity increased as the day progressed.
The uncomfortable weather has been consistent since the past 10-12 days. Considering the health and wellness of the traffic police personnel, police commissioner of Kolkata Vineet Kumar Goyal on Monday morning went around the city to distribute summer essentials such as umbrellas, sunglasses, electrolyte solution etc.
The distribution began from the Park Circus seven-point crossing, where the commissioner handed over articles to more than 30 personnel. Thereafter, he went to Park Street to meet traffic police officers, sergeants and volunteers. Speaking about the initiative, Goyal said: “We do this every year since the temperature soars at this time. This year, for the last few days, the condition has been bad with temperature rising beyond 40°C daily. While the humidity varies, the discomfort remains. Our officers and volunteers stand on the road, in the heat for long hours. Many also fall ill. So we try to give them support through hydration solutions, umbrellas etc.”
A traffic police personnel puts his new umbrella to best use immediately. Jaismita Alexander
To fight the scorching sun, a makeshift shelter has been created at several locations around the city. However, at some locations where the shelter cannot be made available, the personnel are given relief through other ways. Goyal explained: “In the busy areas where shelters cannot be provided, we are trying to equip them with bigger umbrellas. Overall, we are also trying to cut down on long duty hours at a stretch during the day.”
Areas like the Park Circus 7-point crossing, are comparatively busier between 9am and 1pm as school, college and office-goers are on the streets. During this time. traffic is also heavy and it requires personnel to be on the ground to coordinate and manage the flow. On Monday, as soon as they received the umbrellas, a traffic policeman was seen using it immediately as he guided vehicles coming from AJC flyover and Shakespeare Sarani and heading towards Suhrawardy Avenue.
Places in West Bengal such as Barrackpore, Bankura and Panagarh are experiencing severe heatwave conditions with temperature rising up to 44.5°C. IMD has notified on Sunday that the heatwave will continue at least till April 25.
