The first “official” heatwave in Kerala scorches Palakkad

For the first time in Keralan history, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) declared heatwave conditions in the Palakkad district on Monday due to daytime temperatures that were continuously over 41 degrees Celsius.

 

When the temperature exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, the IMD issued a “yellow” advisory for the districts of Thrissur and Kollam, and a “orange” alert for Palakkad.

The district government of Palakkad has mandated the closure of all educational establishments, with the exception of medical colleges, till May 2. According to District Collector S. Chitra, the directive would also apply to anganwadis, sports training facilities, summer camps, and tuition programs.

In addition, the collector gave the district medical officer instructions to make sure that the taluk and district hospitals’ maternity, pediatric, and special care departments had enough fans.

She recommended that ASHA workers be assigned by the social justice department to raise awareness about helping those in need of special care.

The collector observed that despite the midday temperature being below 42 degrees Celsius, the excessive humidity makes it seem like 44 degrees. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) advised everyone to stay inside between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. It even warned that sunstroke might be fatal. Notably, the state’s hospitals have seen an increase in patients seeking treatment for heat-related illnesses.

Health Minister Veena George has mandated a week-long shutdown of anganwadis in light of the circumstances. The extra nourishment given to the kids attending anganwadis will be sent to their homes at that time.

Government and private Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) will be closed till May 4. The ITIs will provide online lessons over the break since the All India Trade Test preparation courses have not yet been finished.

According to IMD scientist V K Mini, “an orange alert for heatwaves is issued when the maximum temperature persists above 40 degrees Celsius in the plains.” “The cutoff is 30 degrees Celsius for hill stations and 37 degrees Celsius for coastal belts.” When the temperature climbs for two days by 4.5 degrees Celsius over the long-term average, we declare a heatwave to have occurred.

For the next five days, the districts of Palakkad and Thrissur are predicted to see hot and muggy weather. But over the same time frame, the IMD predicts sporadic rainfall in southern areas.

ITIs have a holiday till May 4; courses will take place virtually.

Due to a heat wave warning and a significant increase in daytime temperatures across the state, all public and private Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) have been placed on vacation from Tuesday, April 30, to May 4. The seminars will be conducted online in lieu of the continuing regular sessions to finish sections ahead of the All India Trade Test. On these days, teachers and other employees have been required to report for duty.