The State is sizzling in intense summer heat, aggravating the drinking water and power shortage.
Palakkad district recorded the highest maximum temperature of 41 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, as recorded at the Integrated Rural Technology Centre, Mundur. Punalur recorded 38 degrees Celsius, India Meteorological Department centre in Thiruvananthapuram said.
Three men suffered sunburn in Punalur on Tuesday. Reghunath, 36, a temple employee, Suresh, 40, who works in a garage, and Irshad, 27, an autorickshaw driver, sought medical treatment for sunburn at the government hospital in Punlaur. They were discharged afterwards.
Since March 26, 15 persons suffered sunburn in Palakkad district.
The normal maximum temperature of the State in April is 34.1 degrees Celsius, but it is likely to increase this year, K. Santhosh, Director of the meteorological centre, said.
“This year, an average increase of 1.5 degree Celsius has been registered from that of last year,” Dr. Santhosh said.
Kottayam recorded 37 degrees Celsius, and Kochi (Cochin International Airport) and Vellanikkara in Thrissur 36 degrees Celsius. The State capital registered 35 degrees Celsius. Alappuza recorded the lowest maximum temperature of 33 degrees Celsius.
In some relief, however, the State received isolated rain in many places on Monday and Tuesday. The rain is expected to continue in the coming days, Dr. Santhosh said.
In the forties
Palakkad Staff Reporter writes: Since March 24, the temperature has remained above 40 degree Celsius in Palakkad. The temperature rises by around 9 a.m. and remains high even after sunset. The dry wind blowing from Tamil Nadu through the Palakkad gap is one of the reasons for the high temperature.
Empty streets
Kollam Staff Reporter writes: The afternoon saw just a few brave souls outdoors in Punalur because of the heat.
District Collector, Kollam, P.G. Thomas called an emergency high-level meeting with Health and Labour department officials. After the meeting, directions were issued not the make employees work in the open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as far as possible.
Workers’ misery
Kozhikode Staff Reporter writes: Asked if a “stop-work” direction between noon and 3 p.m. will be issued in Kozhikode because of the heat, District Collector K.V. Mohan Kumar told The Hindu on Tuesday that “unlike other districts such as Palakkad, temperature in Kozhikode has not crossed the 40 degrees Celsius mark. So far we have not received any complaints. We are monitoring the situation.”
But meteorological office forecast for the district clocks zero rainfall for five days till April 14r.
Health tips
Thiruvananthapuram Special Correspondent adds: The Thiruvananthapuram district health administration has advised the public to take adequate precautions to prevent heat-related health problems.
