Dehra Dun, once a summer retreat, now feels the heat

‘‘Sales of ACs, air coolers and fans this year have gone up to nearly double that of last year,’’ says Vijay Gupta, who owns a shop in Chakrata Road here.

Coolers and ACs were unheard of three decades ago in the Dehra Dun valley, recalled residents. But with the temperature rising every day, the summer heat has come as a blessing in disguise for traders dealing in these goods. ‘‘Sales of refrigerators to hill towns like Nainital and Pauri Garhwal have shown an upward trend in the past few years,’’ says Prashant Kochar, a trader.

Scientists say that global warming has led to receding of glaciers in the Himalayan region, which in turn has resulted in rising temperatures in this belt. ‘‘The receding of glaciers and high temperatures are alarming signals which need the attention of environmentalists as well as the government,’’ says Dr Anil Joshi of Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO).

Frequent power cuts and shortage of drinking water in many parts of the state have added to the summer woes of the people.