Hot 2014 [ Transfreez mobile refrigeration - India's most effective cold plate reefers ]

KOLHAPUR: With daytime temperature hovering around 38 degrees Celsius in the city this week, street vendors selling summer coolers and protective gear against a merciless sun seem to be doing brisk business.

The daytime maximum temperature in Kolhapur stood at 37.9 degrees Celsius on Thursday, while Sangli recorded a maximum temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius and Satara recorded a maximum temperature of 38.5 degrees Celsius. Meteorological department officials said that the temperature will not see changes over the next 24 hours and the weather will be dry.

Kolhapur's temperature saw a sharp rise of almost four degrees Celsius - from 33 degrees Celsius to 38 degrees Celsius - over the past week, signalling a hot summer ahead.
The busy districts of Bhavusingji Road, Laxmipuri and Rajarampuri are abuzz with hawkers, peddling everything from lassi to buttermilk, jaljeera to juices, to quench the thirst of Kolhapur citizens. "We generally prepare 3,000 litres of lassi every day. The number doubles in summer. Sometimes, we fall short of milk to produce the required number of lassi and buttermilk. People prefer drinking these dairy products, because these are healthy and easy on the pocket," said Seema Shaha, owner of Mohak Lassi on Bhavusingji Road. Rajendra Daphale, a buttermilk and lassi vendor at the regional transport office square in Tarabai Park, said he has to close his shop as early as 3pm sometimes, finishing up his day's supplies with the rise in demand.

While vendors of coolers make the most of the season, medical practitioners in the city have strictly warned citizens on the hygiene of food, fruits, juices and dairy products sold on the streetside during summer, since these could lead to severe health problems.

"The increased temperature mainly affects the elderly and children. Drinking streetside juices and dairy products may seem an easy way to satisfy thirst, but these could prove to be highly dangerous if the water used is unfiltered. I would suggest the use of bottled and sealed products to quell any doubts," said Jayant Watave, head of the Kolhapur Medical Association.

Veteran paediatrician Prakash Vichare said that he treats at least two patients a day with complaints of diarrhoea, which is caused due to consumption of streetside water and fruits. "Keeping a check on vendors is a tedious task; anyone drinking or eating streetside items could risk a health hazard. Keeping your body sufficiently hydrated is necessary, but there should be no compromise with quality and hygiene," Vichare said.

The demand for sunglasses and caps too has seen a sharp rise, according to traders. "Caps are priced as low as Rs 20 to as high as Rs 100. Much of our stock of caps comes from Mumbai, while sunglasses come from Delhi and Mumbai. Summer is when our business peaks," said Jawed Tashildar, a local vendor selling caps and sunglasses.

"The city temperature has seen quite an increase in the past few days, which is very unlike Kolhapur, which is known for cooler temperatures even during summers," said Rucha Karkare, a local residend.

Transfreez mobile refrigeration - India's most effective cold plate reefers

Source: The Times of India