New Delhi/Noida, May 18 (IANS) Traffic dwindled on roads and people scurried for the shade as a fiery sun beat down, taking the mercury to a scorching 46.4 degrees Celsius in the Delhi NCR region.
Roadside vendors in Noida, where many offices are located, faced a hard time as it became almost unbearable to stand near stoves and ovens in the scorching heat.
Sales dipped as most people preferred to remain indoors, especially in the air-conditioned comfort of their offices and homes.
"It was low business day today as many regulars did not turn up for their evening cuppa," said Satya Prakash, a tea vendor near Film City, Noida.
"Even those who did come asked for cold drinks instead of tea," he added.
Manual labourers, including the rickshaw drivers, had a tough time.
"It was hard pulling the rickshaw in this heat, but we have no choice. There were very few commuters on the road too," said Shyam Narain, a rickshaw driver at Mayur Vihar, Delhi.
The weekly bazaar at Noida Sector 16, which generally starts around 4 p.m., started at around 6 p.m.
"We are starting late due to the heat. There customers are fewer in number due to the intense heat," said Ramesh, a vegetable seller.
Meanwhile, the weather department has warned that heat wave conditions with mercury hovering around 44 degrees mark may prevail for the next few days in Delhi NCR.
Doctors have advised people to take lot of fluids and avoid getting out in the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to avoid heatstroke.
