The winter chills continue to persist in Bangalore. There is fog and the air outside is cold during early morning followed by the warm winter sun during the day. The night witnesses a fall in temperature and the wind-chill factor.
The fluctuating weather pattern not only causes illness but also hampers people from carrying out their day-to-day work. Metrolife asked Bangaloreans about their winter woes and the way they are dealing with it.
Vikram S, a film-maker says, “Getting up early and going to work is a problem. Taking a bath is a pain because the water is very cold . One can’t put on the geyser because there are power cuts on a regular basis.” There are some others who believe that the winter has become severe in Bangalore. Richa Ranjan, a cinematographer says, “Winter in the City has definitely become colder. It is no longer the nice comfortable cold. It has certain piercing attributes to it. Your bones start to ache now and then. I also wear my jacket or sweater for a longer time, a thing I never did earlier.”
However, Vishal Talreja, an event manager, who has been in the City for the past 20 years, has a contrary view. “It is no longer as cold as it used to be in Bangalore. Earlier, winter used to set in by October 15 but this time I did not feel the cold till two weeks ago. I don’t even wear a sweater. I think winters are warmer because the trees have disappeared from the City.”
Many people have had to reschedule or postpone their early morning travel because of the fog. Ashvin Varghese, a BA student says, “I recently avoided taking an early morning flight as the chances of it getting delayed was high due to the fog.”
The weather has also affected Ashvin’s health. “I have a nasty cold that just refuses to budge. Just as I get better, there is a sudden drop in temperature and I am back with a runny nose,” he adds.