Scorching heat hits campaigning

Bhubaneswar: Odisha sizzled as mercury soared above 40 degree Celsius in most parts of the state. The ongoing hot and humid weather conditions have pushed poll candidates to go for afternoon breaks and other unusual means to keep the hot wind at bay.
During campaigning, candidates were seen in khadi and cotton clothes. Some attached fans in open jeeps and vehicles used in the campaigning while others carried coconut water to keep themselves cool in this blistering heat.

Tuesday was the last day of campaigning for the second phase of polls on April 18. The situation may get difficult for the candidates whose constituencies go to polls in the third and fourth phases (April 23 and 29 respectively).

Bhubaneswar recorded 43.7 degree Celsius — the highest so far in the state — on Tuesday while ten other places across the state witnessed temperatures above 40 degree Celsius. The heatwave like conditions are taking a toll on the health of the candidates and party workers. A couple of senior leaders had reportedly fallen ill due to the sweltering heat.

Many candidates took a break from 11 am to 3 pm to avoid dehydration and sunstroke amidst campaigning which started early in the morning. “I stared off early and continued till the late evening. I met people of my constituency in the parks while they take morning walks. Being a women, I could go inside houses and talk to women. We took break in the noon and again started around 4 pm,” said Aparajita Sarangi, BJP candidate for the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat. Sarangi was seen in linen and cotton sarees during her campaigning.

Many candidates said the sudden rise in temperature has adversely affected their campaigning. “It’s not only about the candidates but also the party workers who campaign for us. We have to think about them as well. In the afternoon, we try to meet people indoor and avoid outdoor campaigning,” said Ashok Chandra Panda, BJD candidate for Bhubaneswar-Ekamra assembly constituency.

Pakhala is in most demand now. It not only keeps the body cool but also protects from dehydration. The sale of Pakhala has increased manifold in the last few days,” said Nityananda Sahu, a local restaurant owner in the city.