Summer In Full Force

With the advent of summer, the Northern Hemisphere is seeing a rise in temperature. As the mercury surges, the effects of heat form an oppressive sense of restlessness and lassitude. The air conditioners are on full blast, the fans are overexerted and cold drinks are consumed in huge quantities. Melting ice-cream on cones, sleeve-less t-shirts, frilly tops and shorts are some of the emblems of this season. After the sublimity of spring, summer comes in full blast with the heat exerting itself a little too profusely. 

Like most things, summer comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages are the full blooms of nature with abundant flora and fauna. Likewise, one can enjoy ice-creams without the worries of catching a cold. Cute dresses can be matched with accessories. And when it rains, the earthy aromas, along with the pattering of rain drops on the ceiling and pavements form a pleasant experience. People love the rain, as it clears the air and brings in a sense of freshness and renewal. This season is also one to laze around in the pools in spare time and take dips while also swimming in laps. It means chilled watermelons and grapes, drinks and socialising in the backyard garden as well. 

As the evening stretches late into the night, the chirping of birds and insects form a pleasant background as one relaxes with a good book. Students often get a month long summer vacation in Nepal while surprisingly in the United States, students enjoy three-month vacation. Coming to the disadvantages of this season, one of them is obviously the intense heat that peaks in the afternoon, making one lethargic with a drowsing mood. Then there are heat waves. Given the consequences of worsening global warming and climate change, heat waves are becoming more common and even increasingly fatal. In Nepal, the Tarai region is prone to heat waves that take lives of unsheltered and vulnerable population. 

The other aspect is the relentless rain that obstructs travel, impacts flights and even forms puddles in the roads as the water inundates. When it rains heavily, often floods and landslides lead to a loss of lives and properties. Nepal is quite vulnerable to natural disasters which means the torrential rains signal possible destruction. Even as the nation is on full alert in the monsoon, a sore point of summer in Nepal, there always seems to be a lack of proper planning, preparedness and mitigation in the face of natural disasters. 

The effects of summer differ according to locations impacting people in diverse ways. Some places have scorching sun while others are quite milder. In the Western nations, people take this time to relax by the beach or pool with alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. They socialise in parties but also carve out time for summer reading. Books sell in great numbers as summer reading is a norm in the West, which is catching up in Nepal as well. Likewise, people hit the gyms in record numbers to flaunt a good shape in lovely attires. 

The nature is cyclical in a way that is predictable while also being inevitable. Rain or shine, summer season is a time to navigate the rising temperature making the most of it while one can.