Yellow Alert Across Keralam as Heatwave Grips State; SDMA Urges Caution Amid Election Campaign Season

Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow alerts across most of Keralam as the state braces for a sustained spell of intense summer heat over the next two days, with temperatures expected to peak at 39 degrees Celsius in some districts. All districts except Idukki and Wayanad are under the yellow alert.

District-wise Temperature Forecast

According to the IMD, Palakkad district is expected to record the highest temperatures in the state, with the mercury likely to touch 39°C today and tomorrow. Kollam, Kottayam, and Thrissur districts are forecast to see maximum temperatures reaching up to 38°C, while Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Kasaragod are expected to experience highs of up to 36°C during the same period. The weather department noted that high humidity combined with elevated temperatures would make conditions particularly oppressive in these districts, excluding hilly and highland areas.

Heat Advisory for Election Campaign Workers

With the state simultaneously in the grip of election season, the Keralam State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued a specific advisory urging political campaigners, public officials, and ordinary citizens to exercise extreme caution while engaging in outdoor activities. The authority warned that prolonged direct exposure to the sun could trigger serious heat-related health conditions including heatstroke, heat exhaustion, and dehydration, and called on all those involved in election-related activities to adopt strict precautionary measures.

The advisory comes at a particularly sensitive time, as campaign workers and election officials are routinely required to spend extended hours outdoors under the sun — conditions the KSDMA identified as especially hazardous during the current heatwave.

Residents have been advised to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor exposure during peak afternoon hours, wear light-coloured and loose-fitting clothing, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms arise.