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Banda endures record-breaking temperatures
For over a week in May, Banda district in India's Uttar Pradesh state recorded temperatures of 47-48°C (116-118°F), topping national heat rankings. Residents, many of whom work outdoors, have adjusted their routines to cope with the extreme conditions.
Daily life reshaped by heat
In Atarra, a vegetable market 30 kilometers from Banda's headquarters, traders now arrive at dawn to sell produce before the heat intensifies. By 8 a.m., activity dwindles, and by 10 a.m., the market is nearly empty. Himanshu, a tomato vendor, noted that the heat accelerates spoilage, forcing sellers to offload goods quickly.
Mason Pappu Verma has split his workday into two shifts-7 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.-to avoid the peak heat. Though the break prevents heatstroke, it extends his workday to 12-13 hours. "Otherwise," he said, "whatever I earn would be spent on medicines."
On a recent afternoon, three women road workers took shelter under a water tanker on a highway bridge, eating bread with onion and pickle. Shanti Devi, who walks 12 kilometers daily for work, explained, "If we bring vegetables, they'll spoil by noon."
"Poor people don't have the luxury of worrying about the heat."
Shanti Devi, road worker
Economic and health toll
Local hospitals report 15-20 daily heat-related cases, primarily children and the elderly, with symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. E-rickshaw drivers see fewer passengers in the afternoon, while shopkeepers close between noon and 4 p.m. as customer traffic halves.
Government alerts warn of severe heatwave conditions, urging caution. However, residents like 80-year-old Chunubadi, who relies on a jury-rigged fan, describe the heat as unprecedented. "In my 80 years, I've never seen heat like this," she said. "Old people die in extreme cold or extreme heat. I don't know whether I'll be able to endure this one."
Environmental factors worsen conditions
Banda's struggle is tied to the Ken River, whose cooling capacity has weakened due to sand mining and groundwater depletion. Researchers link the district's intensifying heat to deforestation, urbanization, and reduced tree cover. A study by Banda University of Agriculture and Technology found that nearly one-sixth of the district's dense forest cover vanished between 1991 and 2022.
Meteorologist Dinesh Sah noted that while Banda has previously hit 48-49°C, this year's heatwave was unusual for its duration. "For eight or nine days, temperatures of 47-48°C continued without a break," he said. "That is what was new."
Adaptation without relief
Residents employ creative strategies to endure the heat. Rameshwar Yadav, a buffalo herder, wears thick winter clothes to slow heat absorption. "Heavy fabric protects us from the sun and the hot winds," he explained. In Achharaund village, women queue for hours at a single well, while others seek shade under neem trees.
Farmer Prem Singh acknowledged that extreme heat has long been part of the region's climate but warned that its growing intensity is making life harder for the poor. He blamed deforestation, mining, and fossil fuel use for exacerbating the problem.
Evenings offer little respite, as overnight temperatures remain around 30°C. "It feels as if mornings and nights no longer exist," Sah said.
A temporary reprieve
On Friday, a dust storm and rain lowered temperatures by 8-9 degrees, providing brief relief. However, Banda's residents recognize that their adapted routines-early starts, midday retreats, and shade-seeking-are becoming permanent necessities.
Climate researchers warn that Uttar Pradesh could see over 8,000 excess deaths during a severe five-day heatwave, with the burden falling disproportionately on outdoor workers and the elderly. Yet many in Banda remain resigned. "You'll get heatstroke," the road workers told a visitor. "We're used to it."
