Avoid unnecessary travel and outdoor works; Chief Minister calls for 'self-lockdown'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has issued a public warning as temperatures in the state have risen above 40°C.

The India Meteorological Department has officially declared a heatwave alert in Palakkad, Kollam, and Thrissur districts. Due to high humidity levels, the heat experienced in other districts also feels extremely intense. In a Facebook post, the Chief Minister urged everyone to remain highly cautious under these conditions.

He warned that rising temperatures can lead to serious health issues and even pose a threat to life. Therefore, he emphasised that the following safety guidelines must be strictly followed.

Instructions

• Avoid going out between 11 AM and 3 PM: Do not expose yourself to direct sunlight during these hours. Treat this period like a “self-lockdown,” similar to the COVID-19 period, and avoid unnecessary travel and outdoor work. Ensure proper ventilation in homes and workplaces.
• Water and food: Drink plenty of clean water even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid beverages that cause dehydration. Make sure to consume nutritious food.
• Clothing: Wear light-colored, loose cotton clothes. Use umbrellas, footwear, and sunglasses when stepping out.
• People requiring special care: Elderly individuals, children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and those with health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and skin diseases, as well as people with albinism, should completely avoid going out during peak heat hours.
• Restrictions on public events: Public gatherings, cultural events, and sports activities in open areas are not allowed between 11 AM and 3 PM. Festival-related daytime events, including processions with elephants and fireworks, should be avoided or rescheduled. Strict precautions must be taken to prevent fire hazards.
• Care for animals: Ensure drinking water and shade for pets and stray animals. Do not let them out for grazing during the daytime. Due to extreme heat, animals may become distressed, increasing the risk of attacks by wild animals and stray dogs.
• Government preparedness: The Labour Department has rescheduled working hours to avoid daytime outdoor work. This must be strictly followed. Daytime employment guarantee scheme work has been completely suspended. Instructions have been given to provide drinking water and shade for traffic police and to allow flexibility in uniforms.
• Primary health centres, hospitals, and ambulances are equipped with first-aid facilities to handle heatstroke cases.
• Set up water points: Local bodies, Kudumbashree units, voluntary organisations, and traders should come forward to arrange drinking water and shade for travellers and the public.
• If you feel fatigue or symptoms of heatstroke, seek medical help immediately. If someone else shows signs of distress, move them to a shaded area, help cool their body, and arrange medical assistance.
• The Chief Minister concluded by stating that just as people have faced challenges together in the past, this severe summer can also be overcome through collective effort and mutual support.