Warangal: Winter, when it set in here, offered immense relief to citizens who had endured a prolonged summer, with less rain and temperatures in the 30+ degrees Celsius range from October through December. But the steady drop in temperatures in the tricities has taken them aback. There was a death due to the cold on Sunday morning: 80-year-old Bhonagiri Narsamma of Kumarpally Colony in Hanamkonda, died after developing a fever the previous night.
Temperatures of over 300C until three days ago dipped to 13 degrees C on Thursday night along with a cold wave. Ever since, mercury levels have stayed low, the lowest temperature of 11 degrees C being registered on Saturday night and the maximum at 29 degrees C.
Residents of the tri cities are reluctant to step outdoors before 10 am and are making sure they return home before 7 pm. Even business establishments are downing their shutters by 9 pm.
With chilly winds blowing even in the afternoons, the cold has become unbearable, especially for children and the elderly, who are falling sick due to the abrupt change in temperature and are having to restrict themselves to staying indoors, wrapped in warm shawls or blankets.
