With temperatures soaring and humidity levels remaining oppressive, Guwahati on Tuesday found itself in the grip of a punishing heatwave that disrupted daily life across the city. The maximum temperature touched 33°C but the “feels like” index shot up to over 46°C due to the stifling humidity, forcing many residents to avoid venturing outdoors.
The India Meteorological Department reported that cloudy skies and stagnant wind conditions throughout the day added to the discomfort, while light rain forecast for the evening is expected to bring only marginal relief. The sweltering heat has led to visible disruptions in both professional and personal routines.
At the bustling Fancy Bazar area, shopkeeper Pranjal Das said he had to start his day early to beat the heat. “By 10 am, the sun was already unbearable. Business has been slow because people are just not stepping out. It feels like a furnace outside,” he said.
Across the city, households with elderly members are particularly affected. Tarun Baruah, a retired Assam government employee who now spends most of his time at home in the Uzan Bazar area, said, “Even inside the house, there’s no real relief. The fan just pushes around hot air. I haven’t seen a day this uncomfortable in a long time.”
Travelers were also hit hard. At the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Guwahati, Krishna Baruah, a schoolteacher waiting for a bus to Jorhat, said she had been stranded in poor conditions. “The fans at the waiting area are not working, and the concrete floor radiates heat. It feels like I’m standing in an oven,” she said while trying to cool off with a paper fan.
The heat has also affected student attendance in several institutions. Deepali Bhuyan, a college student from Zoo Road, decided not to attend her classes today. “I just couldn’t gather the energy to go out in this weather. It’s mentally and physically draining,” she said.
According to meteorologists, Guwahati is experiencing the compounded effect of post-monsoon humidity and a dry spell that is causing heat to linger. While light rain is predicted in parts of the city during the late evening hours, overall relief may not be immediate.
Doctors and health officials have urged residents to take precautions, including staying indoors during peak afternoon hours, wearing loose cotton clothes, drinking water frequently, and avoiding outdoor physical activity unless absolutely necessary.
With the Asia Cup scheduled to be hosted in Bihar in late August and thousands expected to travel through Guwahati in the coming weeks, concerns have been raised over the city’s preparedness to handle persistent heat spells, especially at public transit hubs and government facilities.
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Borjhar has said that more consistent showers are likely later in the week, which may help bring down temperatures temporarily.
