Heatwave scorches Kerala, rain forecast fails to ease conditions

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is facing a spell of extreme heat, with temperatures rising significantly above seasonal averages across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of hot and uncomfortable weather conditions over the coming days.

Palakkad likely to touch 40°C

According to IMD forecasts, Palakkad district is expected to record temperatures as high as 40°C until April 24. This makes it one of the hottest regions in the state during the current heatwave.

Other districts are also expected to see elevated temperatures, including Kollam at around 39°C and Kottayam at 38°C.

Yellow alert in 12 districts

A yellow alert has been issued for most parts of Kerala, except for the hilly districts of Idukki and Wayanad. Districts including Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod are expected to record temperatures of up to 37°C.

Thiruvananthapuram is likely to see temperatures reaching around 36°C.

The IMD has noted that current temperatures are 3 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal. Combined with high humidity levels, this is likely to result in particularly uncomfortable weather conditions across non-hilly regions.

Rainfall outlook and warnings

A five-day district-level forecast issued by the Meteorological Centre in Thiruvananthapuram shows varying rainfall patterns across the state. The forecast uses a colour-coded warning system, ranging from green (no warning) to red (severe warning), and categorises rainfall from very light to extremely heavy.

However, despite the rainfall outlook, heat conditions are expected to persist in several districts over the next few days.

Authorities have advised residents to take precautions against heat-related illnesses, especially during peak daytime hours. The combination of high temperature and humidity increases the risk of dehydration and heat stress.