A lot of residents are coming to Hsedawgyi ditch in Patheingyi Township to the east of Mandalay city to escape scorching heat.

They are usually taking a bath, swimming or playing water in the ditch.

“From 7 am till late afternoon, the area is being crowded. Families and groups of friends come here. They also take a rest behind and under the shady trees beside the ditch. They are here to escape heat,” said a street vendor.

Most of the people coming to the ditch are from downtown areas of Mandalay city.

The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has forecast that the maximum temperature and the minimum temperature of the city on May 20 will be 40 degrees Centigrade (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and 29 degrees Centigrade (84 degrees Fahrenheit) respectively.