No rain, temperatures to rise; three-day alert issued across state

THIRUVANTHAPURAM: With the rains subsiding, temperatures are rising across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that temperatures in Kerala are likely to remain 3 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal from today (September 6, 2026) until September 8, 2026. Punalur in Kollam recorded a maximum temperature of 36.2°C, which was 4.7°C above normal yesterday. In view of the generally rising temperatures, the State Disaster Management Authority has issued precautionary guidelines for the public.

1. Avoid prolonged and continuous exposure to direct sunlight, especially between 11 am and 3 pm.
2. Continue drinking water even when you are not thirsty. Preferably, drink plenty of clean water.
3. Avoid dehydrating beverages such as alcohol, coffee, tea and carbonated soft drinks during the daytime.
4. Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured cotton clothes.
5. Wear footwear when going outdoors. It is advisable to use an umbrella or hat.
6. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. The use of ORS solution and sambharam (spiced buttermilk) is encouraged.
7. The possibility of fire incidents increasing and spreading is higher in places such as markets, buildings, waste collection and disposal centres (dumping yards). Fire audits should be conducted and proper safety precautions taken. People living near such locations and those running establishments there should exercise extra caution.
8. Rising temperatures may increase the risk of wildfires. People living near forest areas and tourists should be particularly cautious. Situations that could lead to forest fires must be avoided, and forest department instructions must be strictly followed.
9. Educational institutions must ensure that students have access to clean drinking water and that classrooms have adequate ventilation. During examination periods, water availability should also be ensured in examination halls.
10. School authorities and parents should pay special attention to students. Assemblies and other programmes that expose children to prolonged sunlight should be avoided or appropriately rescheduled. Schools taking children on excursions must ensure that they are not directly exposed to excessive heat between 11 am and 3 pm.
11. Local panchayat authorities and Anganwadi staff should take special care to ensure that Anganwadi children are protected from excessive heat.
12. Bedridden patients, elderly people, pregnant women, children, persons with disabilities and those suffering from other illnesses should take special care to avoid direct exposure to sunlight between 11 am and 3 pm. These groups are more vulnerable to heatstroke and therefore require particular attention.