THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian Meteorological Department has informed that the temperature in isolated places in Kerala is likely to rise by two to three degrees Celsius above normal today and tomorrow. Hot and humid weather is also possible due to high temperatures and humid air.

Precautions

High heat can cause many serious health problems such as sunstroke, sunburn and dehydration. Therefore, the general public should observe the following instructions.

• Avoid exposing your body to direct sunlight for long periods of time between 11am and 3am.
• Drink plenty of clean 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 would be better to use an umbrella or a hat.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Encourage the use of ORS solution, Sambharam etc.
• There is a high possibility of fire outbreaks and spread in places like markets, buildings, waste collection and deposit centers (dumping yards). Fire audit should be conducted and proper safety precautions should be taken. Those who live and run establishments near them should be especially careful.
• There is a possibility of forest fire spreading in case of excessive heat. Tourists and people living near forest areas should be careful. Forest fire situations should be avoided. The instructions of the forest department should be followed strictly.
• Clean drinking water should be ensured for the students and air circulation should be ensured in the classrooms in educational institutions. Water availability should also be ensured in the examination halls during the examination period.
• School authorities and parents should pay special attention to students. Assemblies and other events where children are exposed to the sun should be avoided or rescheduled. Schools taking children on field trips should ensure that children are not exposed to direct sunlight between 11 am and 3 am.
• The respective Panchayat authorities and Anganwadi staff should take special care to implement such a system that does not expose Anganwadi children to sunlight.
• Bedridden patients, elderly, pregnant women, children, differently abled and those suffering from other diseases should be careful not to be exposed to direct sunlight between 11 am and 3 pm during the day. Special attention should be paid to such people as they are prone to sunburn easily.
• The respective establishments should ensure that the online food delivery agents who use two-wheelers are safe during the afternoon (11 am to 3 pm). They should be instructed to dress appropriately to avoid exposure to the sun and also be allowed to rest for a short time during the journey if necessary.
• Media workers and police officers should use umbrellas during this time (11 am to 3 pm) and avoid direct sun exposure. Provide drinking water to on-duty personnel to help prevent dehydration.
• While conducting public events and gatherings, organizers should ensure that adequate drinking water and shade are available to participants. Avoid gatherings between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. as much as possible.
• It is better for travelers to continue their journey with adequate rest. Keep water handy.