Uttar Pradesh: As a severe heatwave continues to tighten its grip on Uttar Pradesh's Banda, authorities in the district have switched off traffic signals and set them to 'free-flow' mode during peak afternoon hours to ensure that commuters are not forced to wait under the scorching sun.
This move comes as Banda remained the hottest place in India for the fourth consecutive day, recording a maximum temperature of 47.6 degrees Celsius.
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Traffic Lights Switched Off During Peak Hours
Speaking to news agency ANI, Additional SP (Banda district) Shivraj Prajapati, "We have temporarily disabled the signal lights during the afternoon so that commuters do not have to remain stuck unnecessarily at red lights. This measure aims to minimise inconvenience for travellers."
"Specifically, the signal has been set to 'free flow' mode (bypassing the red light cycle) exclusively during the peak hours of intense sunlight," he added.
Prajapati further stated that the traffic lights will function according to their regular schedule during the morning and evening hours.
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Uttar Pradesh Weather Update
In view of this, the Lucknow Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for the next three days, followed by an orange alert, warning of heatwave to severe heatwave conditions and warm nights in several parts of the state.
In Banda, residents were seen seeking relief from the intense heatwave conditions by consuming sherbet from the roadside stalls and drinking water.
While talking to ANI, a local named Puneet Saxena termed the adverse weather an 'Agni Pariksha'. He said, "It is scorching hot in Banda right now. It is a sort of 'Agni Pariksha' for Banda residents. I believe the reason for this rise in temperature is trees being cut down and illegal mining. Stone and sand mafia operate here."
(With Inputs From ANI)