Vijayawada: The thick clouds that shrouded the venue of the foundation stone laying ceremony for the new capital on Sunday evening have increased the worries of the officials who had been making arrangements for the mega event in temperatures of around 350C in the last few days.
According to India Meteorological Department, the hot and humid weather will continue to remain the same in the next four days in the surroundings of Vijayawada.
The officials fear that if it rains, the fields surrounding the venue which consist of black soil, will turn into slush. Though the state government has laid new roads leading to the venue, the massive number of people expected to attend the event means that the crowds will spill onto the fields.
“If it rains, trying to cross the fields would be next to impossible. The officials must make paths with gravel. At present they are using red soil to lay the roads,” said Nagesh, a local.
The high temperatures are also worrying the officials. The high humidity levels will add to the guests’ discomfiture. The venue is being covered with iron sheets. This, and bustling crowds, are expected to raise the temperature even more.
