City to get hotter today

Scorching heat may turn a major concern to thousands of students and employees taking part in Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s “Dharma Porata Deeksha” for Special Category Status.

In the past one week, the maximum temperature in the city had been around 40 degrees Celsius making citizens suffer the hot and dry weather the city is known for.

On Friday, when Mr. Naidu sits for the whole day in the Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium, a maximum temperature between 40 and 42 degrees Celsius may be recorded, according to the Indian Meteorology Department. Also, the lowest temperature, which was around 27 degrees Celsius so far, will not be less than 29 degrees Celsius. The weatherman also predicts thunder showers in the evening.

In the last 10 years, the maximum temperature recorded in April was 43.5 degrees C.

The hunger strike will be supported by thousands of citizens including more than 10,000 school and college students and workers of various departments.

Mr. Naidu and about 200 other persons will be seated on the dais provided with pedestal air conditioners. The district officials have arranged air coolers for the audience.

Students of municipal schools, social welfare hostels and other institutions will take part in the programme in three shifts starting from 7 am when the hunger strike begins. Officials said no food items would be allowed into the venue premises but drinking water will be provided.