Extreme heat in Kerala to continue till mid-May, temperature in Palakkad could touch 42 degrees Celsius

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/ PALAKKAD: Extreme heat in Kerala is likely to continue till mid-May. The Indian Meteorological Department has declared a heat wave in Palakkad, where the temperature may rise to 42 degrees Celsius. 41.8 degrees Celsius was recorded here on Saturday. Temperatures in Thrissur and Punalur in Kollam district with heat wave warning may experience up to 41 degrees Celsius.

Summer rains in the evening will give some relief but not enough to bring down the temperature. Central and southern districts will receive light rain for the next two days.

There has been a 62 percent reduction in summer rainfall in the state. This is the figure from March to April 28. 150.3 mm was received instead of the expected 178.1 mm of rain. Only Kottayam received average rainfall. The lowest is in Malappuram where there was a 98 percent drop. Kannur, Kasaragod and Kozhikode districts did not receive 90 percent of expected rain. Palakkad was supposed to receive 98.4 mm of rain, but it received only 16.1 mm.

Special alert for Palakkad, Thrissur and Kollam

There is a sunstroke warning in Palakkad, Thrissur and Kollam districts. Be careful not to expose yourself to direct sunlight. Sunstroke may cause death. A 90-year-old woman died of sunstroke in Palakkad yesterday.

Due to the rise in humidity during summer rains, people is likely to experience physical discomfort due to heat.

Temperatures on Sunday

Palakkad: 41.6 degrees Celsius

Kollam: 38.6

Thrissur: 39.4

Temperature will rise in 12 districts

(Till May 2)

Palakkad...................................41

Kollam, Thrissur........................ 40

Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Kannur............ 38

Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kasaragod........... 37

Thiruvananthapuram........................36

Idukki, Wayanad.............usual temperature

Anganwadis close for a week

The Women and Child Development Department has decided to suspend the preschool activities in Anganwadis for a week. This is due to the safety warning issued by the Disaster Management Authority in the wake of the heat wave. Other activities will continue. Supplementary nutrition for children will be delivered to homes.