The unexpected cold wave in south India especially in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka had its toll on the public. Though loss of life has not been reported yet from Karnataka, in Andhra Pradesh seven people have been dreaded dead due to freezing temperatures. The cold wave has been uniform across the two states leaving the citizens with lots of discomfort.  In fact reports suggest that the present temperatures have not been noted in the last decade, especially in Andhra Pradesh.

The reports state that four elderly persons from Guntur district and two women from Bapatla and Vishakhapatnam are feared dead. Madikeri of Karnataka registered its lowest temperature in 132 years on Monday, with the minimum dropping to 4.8 degrees Celsius. In Andhra Pradesh, Adilabad shivered as mercury fell to 4 degrees Celsius. On Saturday, it had plummeted to 3.7 degrees, the lowest in 10 years in the region.

The main reason for panic is that, especially in Andhra, people are not used to such bone biting cold and hence were not much prepared to face the weather adversities like their northern brethren. Be it the Global warming or due to the ferocity of the Mother Nature, the public are suffering and the much affected are the poor. They neither have a proper roof or a thick blanket to fend them. The next sect, suffering to the weather vagaries, is the students who are facing crucial exams in March. (AarKay)