Seasonal fruits and juices such as watermelons, coconut water and lemonades are in great demand as the temperature soars. On Thursday, Guwahati recorded a maximum temperature of 36.7 degree Celsius.

With fruits and drinks becoming the only options to beat the heat, the cost of seasonal fruits has doubled in the past two weeks.

People have started thronging fruit juice stalls, resulting in a spike in sales.

“The sale totally depends on the weather. This summer, I have served around 300 customers a day. Over the past few years, people have become health conscious and prefer fresh fruit juices instead of fizzy drinks,” said Sumi Adhikari, a lemon juice vendor near Meghdoot Bhawan here.

“Many opt for carbonated drinks that are cheap but harmful. Natural fruit juices are healthy and keep us hydrated and energised in summer,” said Kastury Hazarika, a Cotton University student.

Rajendra Prasad, a sugarcane juice vendor, said, “I have been serving around 350 customers a day for the past three days. Owing to increased prices of sugarcane, the cost of a glass of juice has gone up from Rs 10 to Rs 20. The price of a bundle of sugarcane was Rs 700, now it is Rs 1,000.” Umesh Bharali, who has been selling green coconuts in the city for the past 20 years, said, “When the temperature is high, 700 to 800 green coconuts, each costing Rs 40, are sold in a day. Now, the supply of green coconut is limited so the price has increased. Earlier, it used to be Rs 25 per fruit.” An official of the regional meteorological centre here said people would get relief soon as rain is likely to occur across Assam on Friday.