Kerala Braces for Rising Heat; IMD Issues Safety Advisory

Thiruvananthapuram: Temperatures are rising sharply across Keralam. The India Meteorological Department has warned that the state will experience high temperatures today and tomorrow, with the atmospheric temperature expected to rise by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius.

Although the sky is cloudy in many places, high humidity will make the heat feel more intense than the actual temperature. The weakening of the southwest monsoon is cited as the reason for the rise in temperatures. Punalur recorded the highest temperature in the state on Sunday, with 36.2 degrees Celsius recorded in 24 hours. Kottayam recorded 34.5 degrees Celsius, while Palakkad recorded 34.4 degrees Celsius.

High temperatures can cause several serious health problems, including heatstroke, sunstroke and dehydration. The Central Meteorological Department has therefore issued the following guidelines for the public:

• Avoid prolonged, direct exposure to sunlight between 11 am and 3 pm.

• Continue drinking water even when you are not thirsty. Preferably drink plenty of clean water.

• Avoid dehydrating beverages such as alcohol, coffee, tea and carbonated soft drinks during the daytime.

• Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured cotton clothes.

• Wear footwear when going outdoors. Carrying an umbrella or wearing a hat is advisable.

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. The use of ORS solutions and sambharam (spiced buttermilk) is encouraged.

• Markets, buildings and waste collection and disposal centres such as dumping yards face a higher risk of fires breaking out and spreading during periods of high heat. Fire audits should be conducted and proper safety precautions taken. Residents and establishments located near such areas should exercise extra caution.

• The risk of wildfires spreading increases when temperatures rise. People living near forest areas and tourists should exercise particular caution. Situations that could lead to forest fires must be avoided, and the Forest Department’s instructions should be strictly followed.

• Educational institutions must ensure that students have access to clean drinking water and that classrooms have adequate ventilation. During examination periods, drinking water must also be made available in examination halls.

• School authorities and parents should pay special attention to students. Assemblies and other programmes that expose children to prolonged sunlight should be avoided or scheduled at suitable times. Schools taking children on excursions must ensure that they are not directly exposed to heat between 11 am and 3 pm.

• Local panchayat authorities and Anganwadi staff should take special care to implement arrangements that protect Anganwadi children from exposure to excessive heat.

• Bedridden patients, elderly people, pregnant women, children, persons with disabilities and those suffering from ailments should take special care to avoid direct exposure to sunlight between 11 am and 3 pm. These groups are more vulnerable to heatstroke and require particular attention.

• Organisations employing two-wheeler riders for online food delivery must ensure their safety during the afternoon hours from 11 am to 3 pm. They should be instructed to wear clothing that protects them from heat and, if necessary, be allowed to take short breaks while travelling.

• Journalists and police personnel should use umbrellas between 11 am and 3 pm and take precautions to avoid direct exposure to sunlight. Drinking water should be provided to personnel on duty to help prevent dehydration.

• When organising public programmes and conferences, organisers must ensure that participants have access to sufficient drinking water and shade. Wherever possible, conferences should be avoided between 11 am and 3 pm.

• People travelling are advised to take adequate breaks during their journeys. Carry drinking water with you.

• Construction workers, agricultural labourers, street vendors and others engaged in physically strenuous outdoor work should adjust their working hours and ensure adequate rest during work.

• Avoid letting cattle graze in the afternoon heat or keeping other domestic animals tied up in direct sunlight. Ensure that animals and birds have access to water.

• Children and pets should never be left inside parked vehicles.

• Steps should be taken to use water without wastage and to store as much water as possible when it rains. To prevent dehydration, always carry a small bottle of drinking water.