Heatwave keeps State on its toes
For the rst time, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has conrmed heatwaves in the State.
The State recorded the second highest temperature since 1901 on Saturday with Palakkad recording 41.8°C, around 5.5°C higher than normal. The 41.9°C recorded in 2016 in Palakkad was the highest ever recorded temperature since the IMD started keeping logbooks in 1901.
P.S. Biju, a senior scientist with the IMD, said at least two weather stations should satisfy the criteria of a temperature above 40°C and a departure of 4.5°C from normal temperatures for issuing heatwaves. “The observatories in Palakkad continue to record above 40°C. Since two stations satised the criteria, the heatwave was conrmed,” said Mr. Biju.
Spike seen
The number of heat-related health issues has also seen a spike, with the State reporting around 413 cases, including sunburn, rashes, and heatstroke, until April 22. The actual number would be higher as most cases go unreported, said Sekhar Kuriakose, member-secretary, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).
When the State witnessed the highest ever temperature in 2016, the number of heat-related cases reported was 324, including 10 deaths between March and May. However, 2019 recorded more heatrelated health cases, though there was only one death. With unusually high moisture in the air, the heat index (feel-like temperature) is giving the residents a harrowing time.
“Avoiding direct exposure to the sun during peak hours of the day is the best way to avoid health complications,” said Jazeela A., hazard analyst (public health), KSDMA. Among the heat-related issues, heatstroke is more lethal with a mortality rate of about 45%.