Kerala Faces Intense Heat as IMD Issues Yellow Alert
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for hot and humid weather conditions across Kerala, with the warning expected to remain in effect until Wednesday. This alert comes as dry weather continues to dominate the state, leading to significantly elevated temperatures in various districts.
Temperature Peaks and Regional Variations
Maximum temperatures are projected to soar to around 40°C at isolated locations in Palakkad and 39°C in Kollam. Other regions, including Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod, are likely to experience temperatures of approximately 37°C until Tuesday. Malappuram and Thiruvananthapuram may see slightly lower readings at 36°C.
On Monday, Palakkad recorded a high of 39.2°C, which is 2.5 degrees above the normal range for this time of year. Additional areas reporting temperatures more than 2.5 degrees above normal included Punalur at 37.8°C, Kozhikode at 36.9°C, and Kottayam at 36.5°C.
Thunderstorm Activity and Long-Range Forecast
In a slight reprieve from the heat, IMD has indicated that thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are very likely to occur at one or two places over Kerala on Tuesday. Looking ahead, IMD's long-range forecast issued on Monday predicts that the south peninsular region, including Kerala, will experience normal to above-normal rainfall levels. However, on a national scale, rainfall is expected to be below normal, with the southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall projected at 92% of the long period average (LPA) for 2026, subject to a model error of 5%.
KSDMA Issues Warning Over Fake Heat Messages
Amid the escalating temperatures, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued a stern warning against the circulation of fake messages related to the heatwave. These deceptive communications are being spread as if they are official warnings, potentially causing unnecessary panic among the public.
Shekar Kuriakose, member secretary of KSDMA, emphasized that such fake campaigns are punishable under Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. He highlighted a specific fake WhatsApp message that claims temperatures will rise to between 45°C and 55°C from April 29 to May 12. This message falsely advises people to avoid standing in open areas, warns that mobile phones may explode due to heat, and instructs against filling fuel tanks completely in cars. It is being disseminated under the guise of the civil defence department.
Kuriakose clarified that there is no civil defence department in Kerala; instead, civil defence operates as a voluntary force under the fire and rescue services. KSDMA has urged residents to rely solely on its official social media pages and website for accurate notifications and warnings. The authority has also confirmed that IMD has not issued any forecast predicting temperatures as high as 54°C in Kerala.
As the state grapples with these challenging weather conditions, authorities are calling for vigilance and adherence to verified information sources to ensure public safety and prevent misinformation from spreading further.
