THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Our state and city are going through the worst summer heat seen so far. Yesterday, like never before, the temperature in the state reached above 40 degrees Celsius. According to the automatic weather station report, Erimayur, Palakkad recorded a high of 45.5 degrees Celsius yesterday, while on Wednesday it was 44.3.

Palakkad recorded a maximum temperature of 39.8 degrees in the official notification of the Meteorological Department, but the reality is not the same. 12 stations in four districts recorded temperatures above 40 degrees on Wednesday. 41.3 degrees Celsius was recorded in Champeri, Kannur. Nilambur, Koothattukulam, Mannarkkad, Peechi, and other places are also facing a temperature above 40 degrees Celsius.

The hot air flowing from the anti-cyclone in North India enters Kerala through Palakkad and Punalur. That is why these places feel hotter. Alappuzha, Kochi, and Kottayam districts, on the other hand, have more humidity in the atmosphere, which increases the heat there.

High temperatures are likely to continue till next week. Even if there is isolated rain, it will not be enough to beat the heat. The Central Meteorological Department has informed that the temperature may rise by 3 to 4 degrees in Thrissur, Palakkad, and Kannur districts and by 2 to 3 degrees in Kottayam and Kozhikode districts today and tomorrow.

4 Reasons for the increase in temperature

1. As the sun moves north from the equator from March 21, the sun's rays strike the earth vertically.
2. The excess availability of ultraviolet rays when the sun is directly overhead.
3. Northerly hot winds caused by the heat waves in North India.
4. Decrease in summer rains.

"The current extreme heat situation in Kerala is unusual. This may continue for another week. Increased humidity caused by intermittent summer rains and sea breezes adds to the intensity of the heat."

-Dr. S Abhilash,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Atmospheric Studies, CUSAT

Humidity and heat

As humidity increases, we feel more heat. For example, if the temperature is 37 degrees Celsius and the humidity is 70%, the temperature we feel can be up to 42 or 44 degrees Celsius. When the humidity increases, the human body faces difficulty in the process of sweating, which is why this happens.

Highest temperatures yesterday

(Automatic Weather Station Report -degrees Celsius)

• Palakkad

Erimayur- 45.5 (Wednesday 44.3)

Malampuzha 40.7

Kollengode- 41.2

Last year Palakkad temperature reached 39 degrees.

The average high temperature was 38.8 degrees

• Kannur

Chemperi : 41.4

Ayyankunnu-40.8

Airport -40.1

• Thrissur

Vellanikkara - 42.9

Peechi - 42.4

• Ernakulam

Pothundi - 40.2

Koothattukulam- 40.5

• Kasaragod

Madikkai- 40.1

• Kottayam

Vaikom- 40.0

• Malappuram

Palemad- 40.9

• Kozhikode

Kunnamangalam- 39.9