On Monday, Coimbatore recorded a high of 40.8°C, the hottest day in the city since March 29, 1983. The minimum temperature was 26.1°C, higher than the normal average. While the maximum temperature is predicted to drop to 38°C over the next week, high humidity is expected. The extreme heat is causing concerns, impacting businesses, health, and daily activities.
Voter facilitation posters (VFPs) stuck in polling stations in many government schools in Coimbatore have not been removed despite the elections ending on April 19. The Election Commission’s norms dictate that VFPs be placed outside the wall, near the entrance of each polling booth. However, some posters have been pasted inside the booths to identify polling agents and officers. The walls of many government schools were recently painted with sponsorships from NGOs and corporates, but these walls are now defaced with VFPs, some torn partially. A teacher from a government school expressed concern about the Election Commission’s outdated practice of using strong adhesives to paste VFPs on the walls outside polling booths. The teacher suggested that the Election Commission could instead keep a common flex at the entrance of a polling station with details of contesting candidates. The teacher also called for the Election Commission to allocate funds for the schools to remove the VFPs and repaint the walls if needed.
Extreme heat and reduced production have pushed chicken prices significantly higher in Coimbatore. Production has declined due to decreased appetite and increased water intake among birds, leading to slower weight gain. Mortality rates have also risen to 10%, prompting poultry farms to implement precautionary measures. The price hike ranges from 110 to 120 rupees per kilogram, with wholesale prices reaching a record 130 rupees this year. Despite efforts to increase production, the outbreak of bird flu in Kerala has impacted exports to the state.
