Mercury surge in Kerala, IMD predicts summer will peak between March 20 and April 10

Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a temperature alert in Kerala forecasting an increase of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in maximum temperature in the state.

On Saturday the maximum temperature in Kannur, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kozhikode, and Punalur increased by 2.6 degrees Celsius, 2.5 degrees, 2.2 degrees, 2.1 degrees, and 2.2 degrees Celsius respectively.

Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, and Kannur are likely to witness an increase in maximum temperature on Sunday and Monday, predicts IMD.

Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has issued a warning to the public following the IMD alert. 

KSDMA guidelines to the public to avoid sunburn and sunstroke

• Avoid exposure to the sun from 11 am to 3 pm
• Always carry a bottle of water to avoid dehydration
• Drink plenty of pure water. Avoid tea and coffee during the daytime.
• Wear loose cotton outfits
• School authorities and parents are advised to take extra care of children in view of the examination season. Schools that are taking students for summer excursions must make sure that the children are not exposed to the sun from 11 am to 3 pm.
• Aganwadi staff and panchayat should make arrangements to avoid children from getting exposed to the sunlight.
• Aged people, pregnant ladies, children and patients should avoid chances of sunstroke.
• Labour commissioner should reschedule the working hours of the workers who are exposed to sunlight during work

Experts say that the Ultraviolet (UV) index and heat index are likely to go up in the coming days and possibilities of heat-related incidents like sunburns.

The IMD also predicted that summer will peak in the state between March 20 and April 10.

It is to be noted that the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) planned to introduce devices to monitor the harmful ultraviolet rays throughout the day but even after two years of conceiving the idea, it has not been implemented. The project was to be implemented at a cost of Rs 10 lakh by March 2020.

The idea was to install a device in each district to get a UV index alert every hour during the day.

Sources in the KSDMA said that the department had ordered the devices but had to return them to the company due to technical glitches.

It may be noted that heat-related incidents are on the rise in Kerala and the state has declared heatwave as a state-specific disaster.

On Saturday, Punalar recorded the highest temperature of this season -- 38.7 degrees Celsius, followed by Thrissur at 38.4 degrees, Kannur (36.9), Kottayam (36.6), Kozhikode (35.4), and Thiruvananthapuram (35.4).

(With IANS inputs)