The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert in various districts of Kerala on Saturday, predicting scorching temperatures and challenging conditions for people from April 6 to April 10.
According to the weather department, the maximum temperature is likely to be around 40 C in the Kollam and Palakkad districts.
“In Thrissur and Kannur districts, the maximum temperature is likely to be around 38 C” added IMD.
The department also stated that the maximum temperature is likely to be 37 C in Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Kozhikode districts.
“In Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram and Kasaragod districts, the temperature is likely to be 36 C (2 to 4 C above normal),” said the India Meteorological Department.
Hot and uncomfortable weather is very likely over these districts except in hilly areas from April 6 to April 10, 2024, due to high temperature and humidity
Heatwave grips Tamil Nadu
As heatwave hits Tamil Nadu, Karur and Dharmapuri breached the 40-degree mark, as per India Meteorological Department’s Chennai office.
These districts reported maximum temperatures of 41.0 degrees Celsius and 40.7 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Heatwave is a condition of air temperature which becomes fatal to human body when exposed. It is defined based on the temperature thresholds over a region in terms of the actual temperature or its departure from normal. In certain countries, it is defined in terms of the heat index based on temperature and humidity or based on the extreme percentile of the temperatures.
Heatwave is considered if maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40 degree C or more for Plains and at least 30 degree C or more for Hilly regions.
IMD had also forecast that heatwave conditions were likely to prevail over parts of east and peninsular India till today.
Regions that were likely to see heat waves were Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Vidarbha, North Interior Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Rayalaseema and Telangana.
IMD advised people to avoid heat exposure, wear lightweight, light colour, loose cotton clothes, cover head, use a cloth, hat or umbrella.
Guidelines issued in Odisha
As the mercury level is rising and temperature expected to sour in Odisha and other parts of the country, Director of Public Health Odisha, Dr Niranjan Mishra, said that guidelines have been issued to all districts on what has to be done to combat the summer.
A fresh guideline by the Director of Public Health was issued after eight people were admitted to different hospitals in Odisha due to heat-related illnesses.
Dr Niranjan Mishra said, “The temperature is rising in Odisha. We have to remain prepared for all heat-related illnesses. This heat-related illness is the spectrum of diseases that can include heat exhaustion, heat cramps. We have issued guidelines to all districts on what has to be done and we have recently conducted a training of doctors covering all the districts.”
He further said that heat wave is expected to remain for 18 days in Odisha this year, compared to 14 days last year.
“Due to high temperatures, there can be loss of body fluid. There can be drop in blood pressure and this can reach to extreme fatigue, vomiting and patient can go to shock and become unconscious,” he further added.
Notably, on Saturday, IMD predicted ‘no major change’ in temperature in Odisha in the next 24 hours. The Met Department, however, predicted a dip in temperature on April 7 and 8 due to rainfall.
Odisha is on high alert as the state is bracing for an intense heatwave, bringing challenging conditions for residents. With the mercury soaring to unprecedented levels, authorities are urging citizens to take immediate precautions to safeguard against the adverse effects of the blistering heat.
Earlier, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a heatwave warning for Odisha, predicting temperatures to soar above 40-45 degrees Celsius in many parts of the state.
Umashankar Das, Senior Scientist IMD Bhubaneswar said, “Several parts of Odisha recorded 40 degree Celsius and above on Friday. The highest temperature has been recorded at Boudh and Malkangiri. Seven stations have recorded 41 degrees Celsius and above. We are expecting a further 2-degree rise in the coming two days. We have issued a yellow warning for heat waves. Night temperature is also likely to rise by 2 to 3 degrees celsius.”
He further stated that hot and humid conditions are going to prevail over coastal Odisha.
“People are advised not to go out between 11 am and 3 pm. As it is election season it should be monitored. People are advised to take plenty of liquid. Farmers are advised to drizzle water over their vegetables and food crops,” he added. (ANI)