Searing heat continues to wilt the nation, and post Laila, Andhra Pradesh is back to being parched in the most ruthless summer that most people have ever experienced.
It's not just India, apparently - the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), America's climate agency, has said that 2010 is turning out to be the warmest year ever in recorded history.
On Tuesday, the maximum temperature recorded was 44 degrees Celsius, 6 degrees above normal. A higher temperature was predicted for Wednesday. Deserted roads, fatigued citizens thronging carts selling juice, jaljeera, watermelon and aerated lemon juice, and motorists covering up for protection against the fierce slapping of the sun's rays are sights that are characterizing this summer. Meanwhile, retailers of air coolers and air conditioners are advertising discounts and exchange offers, and making a killing off the discomfort of a society that is increasingly willing to do just about anything to hide from the heat.
Then, there is the issue of water scarcity, a problem that hasn't hit just the common man, but the government, too. The AP Secretariat arranges for water tankers, for drinking as well as cleaning and washing.