Slight dip in mercury brings limited relief

Indore: City witnessed slight relief on Friday as both day and night temperatures registered a marginal drop after days of extreme heat. The respite, however, remained largely on paper, with humidity and hot winds continuing to make conditions uncomfortable across the city.The night temperature settled at 28 degrees Celsius, nearly two degrees lower than the previous night when the city had recorded one of the warmest nights of the season. Despite the fall, residents continued to experience uneasy weather as warm winds persisted till late night, keeping homes heated and making outdoor conditions unpleasant even after sunset.The daytime temperature remained at around 41.8 degrees Celsius, a marginal fall of 1.2 degrees from Thursday.The combined effect of heat and humidity continued to affect normal life. Markets and busy roads witnessed thinner crowds during afternoon hours as people preferred to stay indoors. Those venturing outside were largely seen covering themselves to avoid direct exposure to the scorching sun and hot winds.At traffic signals, commuters were seen searching for patches of shade, while many motorists hurried through before the lights changed to avoid waiting in the scorching heat.The harsh weather has also begun affecting birds and animals, many of whom are seen resting under dense tree cover during peak afternoon hours.According to weather officials, heatwave conditions are likely to continue across several parts of Madhya Pradesh including Indore and nearby areas in the coming days. Districts in the Malwa and Nimar regions remain under alert for hot winds and above-normal temperatures. While no significant rise in temperature has been forecast immediately, meteorologists say relief from the prevailing heat is unlikely in the near future.Authorities have advised residents to stay hydrated, avoid stepping out during peak afternoon hours and take precautions against heat exhaustion and dehydration as the city continues to battle intense summer conditions.