Children stay away from play as city reels under heat

Come Sunday P. Tamil, a class 12 student, would gather his neighbourhood friends and organise a cricket tournament in the nearby ground in Korukkupet. A group of 15 to 20 children would gather, hold a meeting the day before, assign roles, split teams, and meet on Sunday. They would assemble at 5.30 a.m., play until 1 p.m. in the afternoon, disperse and go home.  

This routine has been followed since Tamil was in Class 10. Now as schools have closed for summer vacation, Tamil says that they are not stepping out due to the intense heat conditions that the city has been experiencing for the past few weeks. “Last year too we couldn’t play as much. But this time we haven’t been able to meet even one Sunday for an outdoor game. It’s much worse this time. Stepping out for even five minutes, we are tired, dehydrated and dizzy,” he adds.