Coping with Chennai weather

May has started, yet another hot, humid day in Chennai, temperature are high, traffic is congested, autos/buses are not air conditioned. By the way there are not many cabs available in Chennai.
It really affects your productivity and limits things you can do on weekends. I am looking for some tips to cope with the extreme weather, here is my list (mostly of obvious things), your ideas are welcome.

# Short Term

• Buy good sun glasses and cap to protect you from UV rays, glares etc.
  
• Wear cotton clothes, shorts, deodarant.
• Drink plenty of water, fruit juices, milk shakes.
• Avoid going outdoors between 11 AM to 4 PM, especially to high traffic places like mount road. Basically hot vehicle fumes are no good for your eyes and lungs.
• Do not underestimate the weather, it can get extreme, read weather reports and contact meteorological department if required, to plan your activities.
  

# Long Term

• Get good air conditioner for your office and home.
• Air conditioners are no good without electricity, power outages are not rare, so consider installing portable power generators, or solar power.
• Keep in touch with relevant government departments and advocate them use of solar power. If we don't do this then we deserve power cuts.
• Talk to your representatives in local government, demand for more trees, parks, air conditioned public places, in buses, suggest solutions, ideas.
  

I am curious about engineering solutions which can harness solar power to keep temperatures of whole city low, a kind of artificial winter Is is possible?

Ain't no cool breeze when she's gone
It's not fresh when she's away
Ain't no cool breeze when she's gone
And she always gone too long anytime she goes away Ain't cool breeze when she's gone
It's not fresh when she's away
Ain't no cool breeze when she's gone
And she always gone too long anytime she goes away

See original lyrics by Bill Withers.