City dwellers will have restless evenings as the lowest temperature reaches record lows

PUNE: Medical professionals in the city informed TOI that residents are suffering from insomnia due to both very high daytime temperatures and unusually high nighttime temperatures.

Even for the height of summer, Wadgaonsheri’s lowest temperature on Monday reached an uncomfortably high 30.1 degrees Celsius.

To put things in perspective, during some months of the year, this minimum temperature was higher than even the city’s highest or daytime temperature.

Lohegaon witnessed a low temperature of 26.6°C, while other places like Lavale and Magarpatta reported minimum temperatures between 28 and 29°C. Meanwhile, numerous places saw scorching daytime temperatures rise over 41°C.

Doctors claim that even at night, individuals find it difficult to cool down due to the combination of growing temperatures at both extremes.

Family physician Dr. Hillary Rodriguez told TOI, “Those with an AC are more comfortable, but the majority of patients using fans are prone to uncomfortable nights and lack of sleep, which is made worse by the rising humidity.” She said, “The excessive heat and sweating make sleep a major issue.” Deep sleep is presently only possible in the early morning and late wake-up periods due to the heated air and oppressive heat. People who can’t sleep through the night are complaining of severe weakness, sleepiness, and physical pains.”

According to Dr. Smita Dhadge, a diabetology and sleep medicine expert at KEM Hospital, “Due to the unusually high nighttime temperatures this summer, patients have been reporting poor sleep quality.” There are more and more reports of people staying up late because it’s warm outside and tossing and turning at night. Getting too little sleep may cause daytime irritation, exhaustion, and concentration problems.”

Family physician Dr. Suhas Nene, who practices in the city, said, “This summer, my clinic has seen a 50% increase in the number of such patients compared to last summer.” The unusually warm evenings are making it difficult for those without air conditioning to sleep. Increased irritation and digestive problems, such as acidity, result from it. It has also been interfering with people’s ability to focus at work. Patients are complaining of rashes from excessive perspiration that keeps them from falling asleep, as well as burning feelings in their hands and feet at night. There are also reports of fatigue. After a hot day, the body often cools down at night. However, this is not resulting in health problems at this time.”

“Temperatures are spiking with heatwave conditions for Konkan due to a dry northerly or northeasterly land breeze influenced by the seasonal high-pressure area over the north-central Arabian Sea,” independent weather forecaster Abhijit Modak told TOI. One additional lower mid-level elongated wide-level anticyclone is also present, and it extends from Maharashtra to Telangana. This anticyclone would increase the heat in south India and raise temperatures.”

“Nighttime temperature drops are naturally restricted by higher temperatures on a widespread scale because heat escapes into the atmosphere slowly,” he said. It is a frequent occurrence that takes place each summer. We are feeling it for a longer amount of time this year since it could be a bit stronger.”

The season’s maximum daytime temperature of 41.8°C was recorded at Shivajinagar on Monday, while the temperatures in Wadgaonsheri, Magarpatta, and Koregaon Park were 43.4°C, 43.3°C, and 43.1°C, respectively.