Dog Days
This 500 words essay was chosen as the best entry submitted for the prompt “Elucidate on a prevailing problem in NIT Trichy. What was its origin and what are its repercussions? Suggest an implementable solution to alleviate the issue.” as a part of the Jitheshraj Scholarship application 2019–2020.
Written by Anagha Sethuraman, NIT Trichy- class of 2022.
There is a saying about Trichy — eight months hot, four months hotter. Practically no one would disagree with this, especially if they’re part of NIT Trichy. During the four months mentioned above, it would seem that the mercury’s clarion call is “to infinity and beyond!” It is very common to see students huddled under the nearest structure that can offer them shade, chugging down water like it’s the elixir of life. However, the heat is quite the
elephant in the room: everyone feels its effects but no one really addresses it.
A large part of the oppressive summer is due to Trichy’s geographical location. Compared to cities such as Chennai and Mumbai, Trichy is landlocked, and the two rivers that run through it, the Kaveri and the Kollidam are dry for the better part of the year. However, not all of the heat is due to nature. The rather sparse green cover in Trichy offers no respite from the heat. This is especially true in NIT Trichy as it’s a large tract of land with a few clumps of
trees here and there. Here, the major area is left treeless, and the sun beats down mercilessly upon the heads of all who pass under it.
Though the heat is something that most students have found a way to get around, it has several repercussions that if left unaddressed, could cause serious problems. It is quite well known that the heat leads to dehydration very quickly. As is commonly known, Trichy has a severe water shortage issue especially in the summers. Hence, this period becomes an intolerable one where water is needed but not available. Not being adequately hydrated
also affects people’s health adversely. In extreme cases, the prolonged exposure to heat might cause heatstroke. Also, areas with high concentration of buildings may serve as a heat trap, increasing temperatures further. The heat also impacts animals, as they are highly vulnerable to heat stress during this period.
There are many noteworthy measures that have been taken to minimise the impact of heat. For instance, the constant urging for students to plant trees as part of their social initiatives is something that can definitely do much to increase the green cover. However, a large proportion of the saplings planted die out very quickly, due to lack of water. Hence, the saplings must not merely be planted, but nurtured until they are capable of growth without much assistance. Another heart-warming initiative is the leaving out of water dishes for the animals, especially the dogs in locations like outside the library, in the shopping complex, etc. A more long-term approach to fixing this scenario would be to design any new buildings on campus to optimise the flow of air, making them cooler without the need for air conditioning. It is also important to spread awareness among students about the effects excessive heat can have on them. These moves will surely go a long way in making the campus a better place.
