How Kerala is coping with heatwave, waiting for rains
Temperatures have crossed 40 degrees Celsius and the weather department has issued a warning for most districts
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) office in Thiruvananthapuram has issued an alert for 12 of the 14 districts, excluding Idukki and Wayanad. Palakkad and Kollam are recording temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius. Even hill stations are feeling the heat.
Munnar in Idukki district is recording higher temperatures than usual for this time of the year. “Munnar has been experiencing high day-time temperatures, and fewer tourists have been visiting,” said Manoj V. Nair, a resident of the hill destination.
Amidst public health concerns, the Disaster Management Authority has urged people to avoid venturing out between 11 am and 3 pm. The health department says it has set up heatstroke clinics in the district and general hospitals.
“Surveillance units are up for monitoring heat-related illnesses. Special heatstroke clinics have been functioning since April 17. People are requested to stay indoors during the hot hours and ensure adequate hydration,” health minister Veena George told INDIA TODAY.
The high temperatures are expected till May 1, but there is also forecast of some localised relief in the form of summer showers in parts of the state. Yet, the IMD has reported a 67 per cent deficit in summer rains so far, indicating severely dry conditions ahead.
The oppressive conditions mean higher power consumption. The peak electricity demand so far was 6,033 MW on April 18. The heatwave has also pushed up sales of ACs and inverters. “We are monitoring the situation and will not enforce power cuts,” assured K. Krishnankutty, minister for electricity. “We are trying to purchase additional electricity to meet the demand.”
According to Dr M.G. Manoj, a scientist at the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research in Cochin University, the higher day-time temperatures may persist for some more time. “There is a deficit of summer rains, coupled with anti-cyclone formation. The anti-cyclone effect pushes upper surface air down, resulting in compressional warming. This leads to air molecules colliding more frequently and temperatures rising. Compressional warming also weakens cloud formation,” he explained.
Environmentalists blame it on the state’s depleting green cover. “Massive deforestation, encroachment of forest land and mindless tourism have also contributed to the crisis. Kerala is being severely impacted by global warming,” said N. Badusha, president of the Wayanad Environmental Protection Council.
Sea warming has had fisherfolk counting losses. “The catch has been very low for the past two weeks. Sardine, mackerel and pomfret are missing from the waters,” said Jobin Mathias, a fisherman from the Valiyathura fishing settlement in Thiruvananthapuram.
The heatwave conditions are reminiscent of April 2016 when Malampuzha in Palakkad district recorded a temperature of 41.9 degrees Celsius while Kannur was burning at 39.2 degrees Celsius. As the sun blazes Kerala, it’s still a long count to monsoon rains.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) office in Thiruvananthapuram has issued an alert for 12 of the 14 districts, excluding Idukki and Wayanad. Palakkad and Kollam are recording temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius. Even hill stations are feeling the heat.
Munnar in Idukki district is recording higher temperatures than usual for this time of the year. “Munnar has been experiencing high day-time temperatures, and fewer tourists have been visiting,” said Manoj V. Nair, a resident of the hill destination.
Amidst public health concerns, the Disaster Management Authority has urged people to avoid venturing out between 11 am and 3 pm. The health department says it has set up heatstroke clinics in the district and general hospitals.
“Surveillance units are up for monitoring heat-related illnesses. Special heatstroke clinics have been functioning since April 17. People are requested to stay indoors during the hot hours and ensure adequate hydration,” health minister Veena George told INDIA TODAY.
The high temperatures are expected till May 1, but there is also forecast of some localised relief in the form of summer showers in parts of the state. Yet, the IMD has reported a 67 per cent deficit in summer rains so far, indicating severely dry conditions ahead.
The oppressive conditions mean higher power consumption. The peak electricity demand so far was 6,033 MW on April 18. The heatwave has also pushed up sales of ACs and inverters. “We are monitoring the situation and will not enforce power cuts,” assured K. Krishnankutty, minister for electricity. “We are trying to purchase additional electricity to meet the demand.”
According to Dr M.G. Manoj, a scientist at the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research in Cochin University, the higher day-time temperatures may persist for some more time. “There is a deficit of summer rains, coupled with anti-cyclone formation. The anti-cyclone effect pushes upper surface air down, resulting in compressional warming. This leads to air molecules colliding more frequently and temperatures rising. Compressional warming also weakens cloud formation,” he explained.
Environmentalists blame it on the state’s depleting green cover. “Massive deforestation, encroachment of forest land and mindless tourism have also contributed to the crisis. Kerala is being severely impacted by global warming,” said N. Badusha, president of the Wayanad Environmental Protection Council.
Sea warming has had fisherfolk counting losses. “The catch has been very low for the past two weeks. Sardine, mackerel and pomfret are missing from the waters,” said Jobin Mathias, a fisherman from the Valiyathura fishing settlement in Thiruvananthapuram.
The heatwave conditions are reminiscent of April 2016 when Malampuzha in Palakkad district recorded a temperature of 41.9 degrees Celsius while Kannur was burning at 39.2 degrees Celsius. As the sun blazes Kerala, it’s still a long count to monsoon rains.
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