Bhubaneswar: As the mercury rises relentlessly in Bhubaneswar, touching a scorching 43°C by mid-morning, the capital city of Odisha transforms into what locals jokingly call "Bhatti-baneswar" (bhatti meaning furnace). With summer intensifying earlier than usual this year, residents are deploying innovative strategies to combat the oppressive heat that has become the city's unwelcome signature from April through June.
"I've started reaching office by 7:30 AM instead of my usual 9:30 AM," says Priya Mishra, a software developer at Infocity. "My company allows flexible hours, and I'd rather complete my commute before the sun turns the roads into a tandoor." Priya isn't alone—many offices across the city now witness employees arriving at dawn and leaving by mid-afternoon, creating a new rhythm to Bhubaneswar's workday.
At Ekamra Park, morning walkers have advanced their schedules dramatically. By 5 AM, the pathways are already bustling with residents getting their exercise before the brutal heat sets in. "Last year, I could walk until 7 AM comfortably. This year, if you're not done by 6, you're basically volunteering for heatstroke," remarks 65-year-old Bijay Mohanty, wiping sweat despite the early hour.
The ORS Brigade
Throughout the city, a new accessory has become ubiquitous: bottles of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). From autorickshaw drivers to college students, Bhubaneswar residents are constantly sipping these electrolyte-laden drinks.
"I sell about 300 ORS packets daily now, compared to maybe 20-30 during winter months," says Ramesh Patel, who runs a medical store near Master Canteen Square. "People buy them in bulk—it's become as essential as water."
Hospitals and health centers have set up free ORS distribution points across the city. At Capital Hospital, special "heat clinics" operate throughout the day, treating numerous cases of dehydration and heat exhaustion.
"Dehydration happens before you realize it in this weather," warns Dr. Sunita Rath, a physician at BMC Hospital. "We're seeing at least 30 cases daily of heat-related illnesses. Carrying ORS isn't optional anymore—it's survival."
Creative Cooling Strategies
Bhubaneswar's residents are nothing if not resourceful. Auto drivers have innovated by covering their vehicles with wet jute mats, creating natural cooling systems. Some even attach small battery-operated fans to their driving seats.
"The metal of my auto becomes so hot by noon that passengers can't touch it," explains Santosh, who plies his auto near Vani Vihar. "The wet jute reduces the temperature by at least 5 degrees. It's ancient technology, but it works!"
Many residents now carry small spritz bottles to mist their faces throughout the day. Others have adapted the traditional practice of carrying wet handkerchiefs, upgrading to specialized cooling towels that retain moisture longer.
"I keep three cooling towels in rotation," says Nandini, a college student at Utkal University. "One around my neck, one in my bag getting re-wet, and one drying for later use. It's a system you develop after a few summers here."
At construction sites, where work cannot stop despite the heat, contractors have introduced mandatory cooldown periods every hour. Workers retreat to temporary shade structures where large earthen pots (matkas) of water with mint leaves provide relief.
Home Adaptations
Inside homes, residents have developed their own heat management systems. Many families sleep on their terraces after soaking the floor with water. Others have revived the use of traditional bamboo and palm leaf hand fans as power cuts render electric fans useless during peak afternoon hours.
"We've converted our balcony into a mini-oasis," says Akash Tripathy, a resident of Saheed Nagar. "We've hung wet sheets as 'curtains' and placed vessels of water around the space. When the hot wind blows through these wet surfaces, it creates a cooling effect."
Some apartment communities have organized "cooldown rooms" in their common areas—spaces where several air coolers run simultaneously, providing relief to residents facing power cuts or those who cannot afford air conditioning.
As climate scientists predict even hotter summers in coming years, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has begun implementing longer-term solutions. Tree-planting drives focus on heat-resistant native species, while several main roads are being redesigned with white-topped reflective surfaces to reduce heat absorption.
"This isn't just about comfort anymore—it's about survival," says environmental activist Debasmita Patra. "Our city needs to fundamentally rethink urban planning with heat adaptation as the priority."
