Yellow alert for 11 districts; temperatures could rise up to 38 degrees Celsius; follow these guidelines

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Yellow alert has been issued in various districts of the state as the temperature has risen sharply. The alert was issued in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts this afternoon.

From March 6 to 8, the maximum temperature in Thrissur and Palakkad districts will reach 38 degrees Celsius, and in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts, the maximum temperature will reach 37 degrees Celsius. The Indian Meteorological Department has informed that the maximum temperature in Alappuzha and Malappuram districts is likely to reach 36 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Department has also warned that hot and humid weather is likely to prevail in these districts from March 6 to 8, except in the hilly areas, due to high temperatures and humid air.

High Temperature Warning

• Avoid prolonged direct sunlight exposure between 11 am and 3 pm.
• Drink plenty of fresh water. Continue drinking water even if you are not thirsty.
• Avoid dehydrating beverages, such as alcohol, coffee, tea, carbonated soft drinks, etc., during the day.
• Wear loose, light-coloured cotton clothes.
• Wear footwear when going out. It is advisable to use an umbrella or hat.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Consume ORS solution, Sambaram, etc., if needed.
• There is a high possibility of fires increasing and spreading in places such as markets, buildings, and garbage collection and disposal centres (dumping yards). Fire audits should be conducted, and proper safety precautions should be taken. Those living near these and those running institutions should be especially vigilant.
• There is a possibility of forest fires spreading in the heat. Those living near forest areas and tourists should be especially vigilant. Situations that could lead to forest fires should be avoided. The instructions of the Forest Department should be strictly followed.
• Educational institutions should ensure clean drinking water for students and ensure ventilation in classrooms. During the examination period, water should also be ensured in examination halls.
• School authorities and parents should take special care of students. Assemblies and other programs that expose children to excessive heat should be avoided or timed accordingly.
• Schools that take children on excursions should ensure that children are not directly exposed to heat between 11 am and 3 pm.
• The respective panchayat authorities and anganwadi staff should take special care to implement a system that prevents anganwadi children from getting too hot.
• Bedridden patients, the elderly, pregnant women, children, the differently abled, and those suffering from other diseases should be especially careful not to be exposed to direct sunlight between 11 am and 3 pm. Special care should be taken in their case, as such groups are prone to sunstroke easily.
• The respective institutions should ensure that those who deliver food online on two-wheelers are safe during the afternoon (between 11 am and 3 pm). They should be instructed to dress in a way that prevents them from getting hot and, if necessary, be allowed to rest for a short time during the journey.
• Journalists and police officers should use umbrellas during this time (between 11 am and 3 pm) and be careful not to be exposed to direct sunlight.
• Provide drinking water to the officers engaged in work and help prevent dehydration.
• While organising public programs and conferences, the organisers should ensure that the participants have access to sufficient drinking water and shade. Avoid gatherings between 11 am and 3 pm if possible.