Sweltering Heat Persists in Kerala; Yellow Alert in 12 Districts Till May 7
Despite the onset of May, Kerala continues to experience oppressive heat, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a yellow alert for most districts in the state from Sunday to Tuesday. The exception is Wayanad and Idukki, where the alert isn’t applicable. While a yellow alert indicates caution, the IMD has withdrawn its previous heatwave warning for Palakkad and other districts following recent summer showers in various parts of Kerala.
IMD forecasts maximum temperatures of around 39°C in Palakkad and approximately 37°C in Kollam, Alappuzha, Thrissur, Kannur, and Kozhikode districts during the specified period. In Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Malappuram, and Kasaragod districts, temperatures are expected to hover around 36°C, which is 2 to 4°C above normal. The weather is anticipated to remain hot and humid in these areas, except in hilly regions, due to elevated temperatures and humidity levels.
The Met Office further suggests that May may witness above-normal maximum temperatures across most parts of the country, with a significant increase in the number of heatwave days projected for the northern plains, central regions, and adjacent areas of peninsular India. In April, many areas in east, northeast, and south peninsular India experienced record-breaking maximum temperatures, prompting health advisories from authorities and some states to suspend in-person schooling.
In light of the prevailing conditions, IMD predicts light to moderate rainfall in isolated areas of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki districts on Sunday. Additionally, a yellow alert for rainfall has been issued for Ernakulam and Wayanad on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.
