High humidity levels make Palakkad heat more severe

The combination of high temperature and humidity continued to cause an intense, burning heat sensation for people in several parts of Palakkad district on Friday, even as authorities warned the public against stepping out in the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Although the maximum temperature in the district hovered around 39˚C, relative humidity levels ranged between 50% and 60%. Scientists at the Integrated Rural Technology Centre (IRTC), Mundur, said the intense heat experienced was largely due to high humidity rather than temperature alone.