Mysuru: As temperatures rise, the significance of shade-giving trees is becoming increasingly clear. Before summer, many trees along Mysuru’s roads stood bare after shedding their leaves.

However, with the onset of the season, fresh green shoots have emerged, offering much-needed relief from the scorching heat.

Now, these trees provide vital shade and shelter to both people and animals seeking refuge from the sweltering sun. As residents struggle with rising temperatures, they are turning to these natural canopies for respite, highlighting the indispensable role of trees in urban environments.

This seasonal transformation serves as a reminder of the necessity of preserving and planting more trees, particularly in cities, to combat extreme heat and maintain ecological balance.

Absence of rainfall over the past three months has intensified summer heat in the region. If it had rained at least once during the three months following the cyclone in December, we wouldn’t have experienced such high temperatures. However, due to the lack of rainfall, the dry weather has resulted in increased heat. This year’s pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons are expected to be favourable, bringing much-needed relief and cooling the atmosphere in the coming months. —Dr. G.V. Sumanth Kumar, Associate Researcher, Agro-Meteorological Field Unit (AMFU), Organic Farming Research Station in Naganahalli (OFRSN), Mysuru