THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the summer heat surging in the state before mid-March, Kottayam recorded the highest temperature in the country. The temperature on Wednesday was 38.8 degrees. Nandyala in Andhra Pradesh is at second. Palakkad was the district that recorded the highest temperatures in the state in previous years. The previous day's temperature there was 37.3 degrees. Meteorologists are worried about the rising temperature in Kottayam. Kottayam recorded a temperature of 38.5 degrees Celsius in March and April six years ago. It was above 36 degrees last year. Experts say April is expected to be even hotter.

Experts warn that Kerala will face a major crisis if it does not get summer rains. The months of December and January received 33 percent less rainfall than average. The state received 1.249 cm of rain instead of 2.24 cm. This is also the reason for the current heat wave. Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts received average rainfall while Malappuram did not receive any rainfall. Thrissur, Palakkad, Wayanad and Kannur districts also received less rainfall. The state received 11.4 cm of rainfall during the same period last year.

Increased power consumption

As the heat intensified, power consumption in the state also increased. On Monday, 82.57 million units of electricity were used. The government and the health department have issued a warning with the rise in temperature. It is recommended not to work outside from 12 noon to 3 pm and to avoid direct heat.