Extreme heat causes auto-rickshaw windshield to shatter in Palakkad; driver injured

PALAKKAD: In an unusual incident linked to the surging temperatures, the front windshield of a parked auto-rickshaw spontaneously shattered due to intense heat in Kodathippadi, Mannarkad.

The vehicle's driver, Jasheer, was nearby when the glass gave way. He sustained minor injuries to his leg from the flying shards. Local residents noted that the vehicle had been stationary under the sun for an extended period before the glass succumbed to the thermal stress.

Rising temperatures across Kerala

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the extreme weather conditions currently gripping the state. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for 12 districts, warning that temperatures are expected to climb even further:

• Palakkad: Predicted highs of 40°C.
• Kollam: Expected to reach 39°C.
• Kottayam: Expected to reach 38°C.
• Other Districts: Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod are expected to hit 37°C.

Safety advisory

Health Minister Veena George has urged the public to remain vigilant. Authorities recommend avoiding direct sunlight between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and pregnant women. Outdoor laborers are advised to shift their schedules to the cooler morning and evening hours to prevent heat-related health complications.

Why did the glass break?

While it seems dramatic, this usually happens due to thermal expansion. If a windshield has a microscopic chip or if the metal frame expands at a different rate than glass in 40°C heat, the internal stress becomes too much for the tempered glass to handle, leading to a sudden "explosion" of shards.