IMD issues heat alert for three districts for Tomorrow
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a temperature warning (Yellow Alerts) for three districts in Kerala for Monday, February 19 and 20 February. The IMD has stated that the maximum temperatures are likely to be around 37°C in in Ernakulam, Thrissur & Kannur districts and around 36 °C in Alappuzha, Kottayam & Kozhikode districts (2 to 4 °C above normal) on 19.02.2024 & 20.02.2024. Kannur recorded the highest temperature of 37.9°C in the state on February 18, followed by Punalur (37.2°C). Thiruvananthapuram recorded 34.5°C.
Metbeat Weather, kerala’s only private weather agency, said the weather conditions in the state are likely to be similar to that of heat waves and the heat wave is likely to last for the next three days. According to observers at MetBeat, there will be a slight respite from kozhikode in north Kerala to central Kerala on February 24 and 25. The temperature can be expected to be between 36 degrees and 38 degrees in all districts of Kerala tomorrow (20/02/24).
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has also issued an advisory urging people to take precautionary measures as exposure to high heat can cause many serious health problems such as sunstroke, sunburn and dehydration. KSDMA has issued the following directions:
School authorities have been directed to ensure clean drinking water for students in educational institutions and air circulation in classrooms. Water should be provided at the examination halls too. People should not leave children or pets in parked vehicles. Cattle should not be allowed to graze in the midday sun and other domestic animals should not be tied up in the sun. Access to water must be ensured for animals and birds too, said the KSDMA.
Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued an advisory urging people to take precautions in the wake of rising temperatures.
- Avoid being exposed to sunlight continuously for long periods of time directly in the body between 11 am and 3 pm.
- Drink as much fresh water as possible. Continue to drink water even if you are not thirsty.
- Avoid beverages such as alcohol, coffee, tea and carbonated soft drinks during the day which can cause dehydration.
- Wear loose, light coloured cotton clothes.
- Wear footwear when going out. It would be better to use an umbrella or hat.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Encourage the use of ORS solution, sambhar, etc.
- Places such as markets, buildings, and dumping yards are more prone to fires to increase and spread. A fire audit should be carried out and proper safety precautions should be taken. Those living close to these and those who run establishments should be on special precautions.
- There is a possibility of a forest fire spreading in the event of an increase in temperature. Those living close to the forest area and tourists should be on special alert. Situations like forest fires should be avoided. The instructions of the forest department should be strictly followed.
- Clean drinking water should be ensured for students in educational institutions and ventilation should be ensured in classrooms. Availability of water should also be ensured in the examination halls once it is the exam season.
- School authorities and parents should take special care of the students. Assemblies and other events that expose children to the sun should be avoided or scheduled. Schools that take children for tourism should ensure that children are not directly exposed to heat between 11 am and 3 pm.
- The respective panchayat authorities and anganwadi workers should take special care to ensure that anganwadi children are not exposed to heat.
- Sections such as bedridden patients, the elderly, pregnant women, children, differently-abled people and those suffering from disability due to other diseases should be careful not to be exposed to direct sunlight between 11 am and 3 pm. Special care should be taken in the case of such groups as they are susceptible to sunstroke easily.
- The respective establishments shall ensure that those delivering food online on two-wheelers are safe during the afternoon (11 am to 3 pm). They should be instructed to dress in such a way that they do not get exposed to the heat, as well as, if necessary, allowed to rest for a while during the journey.
- Journalists and police officers should use umbrellas during this time (11 am to 3 pm) and be careful not to be exposed to direct sunlight. Help prevent dehydration by providing drinking water to the personnel engaged in their work.
- Those who are travelling should continue the journey with the necessary rest. Keep the water in your hand.
- Adjust working hours for construction workers, agricultural labourers, street vendors and those engaged in any other strenuous work. Make sure you get enough rest at work.
- Letting the cattle graze in the midday sun and other pets should be avoided in the sun. Ensure water availability for animals and birds.
- Children or pets should not be allowed to sit in parked vehicles.
- Steps should be taken to use water without wasting water and to store as much water as possible when it rains. Always carry drinking water in a small bottle to prevent dehydration.
- Take immediate rest and seek medical attention if you experience discomfort.
- Listen to and follow the official warnings of the Meteorological Department and the Disaster Management Authority.
- Metbeat Weather
