IMD sounds heatwave warning for Kerala in February
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Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued the first heatwave alert for Kerala in February. The IMD has issued a heatwave warning for Kannur and Kasaragod districts, predicting 2-4 degrees Celsius above normal temperatures in the state on Wednesday.
Temperatures in Kannur and Kasaragod are likely to rise above 39 degrees Celsius. On Monday, the state's maximum temperature exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, with Kannur airport recording 40.4 degrees, the highest February temperature in Kerala history. The Kannur observatory recorded 39 degrees Celsius, which is 4.4 degrees above normal.
A heatwave alert in February is exceptional, according to M G Manoj, a scientist at the Cusat Radar Research Centre. Prior to Monday, the state had only experienced temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in February twice: on February 8, 1975, in Punalur (40.1) and on February 28, 1981, in Palakkad, TNIE reported.
“Rise in temperatures like this is unseasonal in February. We didn’t get any rain this month causing dry weather and leading to a rise in temperatures. The seasonal forecast from IMD is anticipated by the end of this week and only then will we have a better idea about the summer forecast for the state,” Manoj said.
He added that several local factors including the locations of the observatories, contribute to the recording of an increase in temperatures.
“Many of our observatories are located in the heart of the cities and airports where there are no shades. Emissions from vehicles and concrete buildings contribute as local factors that lead to an upward trend in temperatures,” Manoj stated that the public should absolutely adhere to the cautions issued by state agencies.
Meanwhile, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued a set of rules and suggestions for local governments to increase readiness over the summer. They comprise a host of long- and short-term mitigation strategies to combat excessive heat events.
Some of the KSDMA's suggestions include cooling centres, shelters, resting areas for outdoor workers, identifying vulnerability groups, establishing a monitoring committee and nodal officer at local bodies, forming a response team to check on the vulnerable population, early warning at the grassroots, and establishing emergency response teams.
