No respite for Kerala as temperatures to rise: Palakkad, Thrissur sizzle at 40 degrees

There seems to be no respite for the people of Kerala in the coming days, as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday stated that the temperatures are expected to rise above normal in the days ahead.

Even as the districts of Palakkad and Thrissur recorded a maximum temperature of 40 degree celsius and above on Monday, a statement put out by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) quoting IMD notes that there will be a rise in mercury levels of 3 to 4 degree celsius above normal temperatures in the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam, Palakkad and Kozhikode on Tuesday.

On March 27 and March 28, the temperature in these districts is expected to rise to a maximum of 2 to 3 degree celsius above normal. 

The KSDMA states that the temperature is likely to be above normal by two to three degree celsius in the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kannur and Kasaragod on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 

In light of the increasing mercury levels in the state, the KSDMA has listed out the following precautions that people of the state can take in order to avoid sunstroke:

• The public have been advised to avoid getting exposed to direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm.
• Always carry a bottle of water in order to prevent dehydration.
• Drink only purified water and as much as possible, avoid drinking tea and coffee during the day. 
• Wear light colour clothes as it will reflect the sunlight and won’t absorb heat. 
• The safety of the food delivery agents who deliver food on two wheelers between 11am and 3pm should be ensured by their respective organisations. 
• Journalists, police officials and election campaign workers who will be on duty during the given timings, should make sure that they carry an umbrella with them. 

The KSDMA states that at a time when people are suffering from sunstroke and sunburn, the citizens must take precautions given by the Authority with utmost seriousness.