THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is a warning of a heat wave in Kerala in the coming days. The Central Meteorological Department has issued a warning in five districts today and tomorrow. Th temperature is likely to rise up to four degrees Celsius in Thrissur, Palakkad and Kannur and three degrees Celsius in Kottayam and Kozhikode.

State Disaster Management Authority has issued alert regarding the rising heat wave in Kerala

• The public should avoid exposure to direct sunlight for long periods of time between 11am to 3 pm.
• Measures should be taken to use water without wastage and store maximum water during summer rains. Always keep a small bottle of drinking water handy to prevent dehydration.
• Drink plenty of fresh water. Keep drinking water even if you are not thirsty. Avoid dehydrating drinks like alcohol, coffee, tea and carbonated soft drinks during the day.
• Wear loose, light-colored cotton clothes.
• Wear footwear when going out. It is advisable to use an umbrella or a hat.
• There is a possibility of forest fire spreading during summer heat. Tourists and people living near forest areas should be especially careful. Forest fire situations should be avoided. The instructions of the forest department should be followed strictly.
• Fires are more likely to increase and spread in places like markets, buildings, waste collection and deposit centers (dumping yards) during summer. Fire audit should be conducted and proper safety precautions should be taken. Those who live near them and run establishments should be especially careful.
• In educational institutions, clean drinking water should be ensured for the students and air circulation should be ensured in the classrooms. As it is the examination period, water availability should be ensured in the examination halls as well.
• School authorities and parents should take special care in the case of students. Assemblies and other events that expose children to excessive sunlight should be avoided or rescheduled. Schools taking children on field trips should ensure that children are not exposed to direct heat between 11 am to 3 pm.
• The respective panchayat authorities and anganwadi staff should take special care to implement such a system that the children are not exposed to heat.
• Elderly people, pregnant women, children, differently abled people and people suffering from other diseases should be careful not to be exposed to direct sunlight from 11 am to 3 pm. Special attention should be paid to such sections as they are prone to sunburn easily.
• The respective establishments should ensure that online food delivery on two-wheelers is safe during noon (11 am to 3 pm). They should be instructed to dress appropriately to avoid exposure to heat and should be allowed to rest for a short time during the journey if necessary.
• Media workers and police officers should use umbrellas from 11 am to 3 pm and avoid direct exposure to the sun. Help prevent dehydration by giving drinking water to policemen engaged in work.
• It is better for travelers to continue their journey with adequate rest. Keep water in handy.
• Construction workers, farm laborers, street vendors, and those involved in hard labor adjust their working hours. Ensure adequate rest at work.
• Cattle should not be allowed to graze in the midday sun and other domestic animals should not be tied up in the sun. Ensure access to water for animals and birds.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Encourage use of ORS solution, butter milk etc.
• Do not leave children or pets in parked vehicles.
• If you feel uncomfortable, rest immediately and seek medical attention.
• Heed and obey the official warnings of the Meteorological Department and the Disaster Management Authority.