PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
Rising temperatures in Dehradun are making daytime duty difficult for traffic police personnel posted at busy intersections across the city. With mercury recently touching around 39.2 degrees Celsius, one of the highest April temperatures in recent years, officers standing for long hours under the sun are facing dehydration, fatigue and heat stress. Recent days have brought temporary relief with a drop in the maximum temperatures though the heat is expected to rise again.
From Clock Tower to ISBT, Rajpur Road, Saharanpur Chowk and Ballupur Chowk, personnel remain on duty for several hours to manage the traffic despite harsh weather conditions. Many said they often get little shade during peak afternoon hours, while hot winds and continuous exposure to sunlight make the job more exhausting.
A traffic constable posted near a busy crossing said, “We stand in the sun for hours. By afternoon, the throat becomes dry and the body feels weak”. Another personnel said, “Sometimes there is no proper place to sit or rest. Water in bottles also gets warm quickly in this heat,” he said, adding that dehydration, headaches, dizziness and skin burns are common during summer duty.
“During peak afternoon hours, standing continuously on the road becomes very difficult. The heat drains our energy, but duty has to continue,” another traffic personnel said. “We keep managing traffic in the sun for long hours. Dehydration and exhaustion are common problems during summer duty,” he added
An elderly citizen Prabhat Sharma suggested that traffic police personnel should be provided shaded booths, regular water supply, ORS packets, cooling breaks and rotational duty during peak heat hours. Health experts also advise outdoor workers to drink water regularly and avoid long exposure without breaks.
