Heat wave in Kerala soars burn cases; Alappuzha, Kollam reports maximum cases

Several parts of Kerala have been hit by soaring mercury with 36 cases of sunburns being reported, official sources said Tuesday. Kollam and Alappuzha districts accounted for the maximum sunburn cases of six each of the 36 reported till Monday, the Health Department said.

Among other districts, Pathanamthitta saw five people seeking treatment for sunburn cases while Ernakulam and Kannur districts reported four cases each, it said. According to the India Meteorological Department here, the maximum temperature was very likely to be above normal by 3 to 4 degree Celsius in Alappuzha, Kottayam, Palakkad, and Kozhikode districts Tuesday and by 2 to 3 degree Celsius in the next two days.

Vellanikkara in Thrissur district recorded a maximum of 40.4 degrees Celsius while Palakkad 39.2 C as per the readings this morning. The temperature was very likely to be above normal by 2 to 3 degree Celsius in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kannur and Kasargod districts during the next two days, the Met office said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged people to provide water to birds and animals in small pots or coconut shells to beat the summer heat. In a Facebook post, Vijayan said forest department was also taking steps to provide water to birds and animals in the forest by providing temporary water sources.

The health department has asked people to be alert and avoid getting exposed to the sun from 11 am to 3 pm and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Elderly and the children below four years must exercise caution, it said.