Kerala State Disaster Management Authority issues heat warning for election workers

Amid the rising daytime temperatures, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued a warning advising public workers, the general public, and officials involved in election campaigns to be cautious. Prolonged exposure to direct heat on the body can cause health problems such as sunstroke, heatstroke, and dehydration. Therefore, those involved in election activities should take adequate safety precautions, the agency said.

Those involved in campaign activities should carry a bottle of drinking water and make it a habit to drink plenty of water at regular intervals even if they do not feel thirsty. The public was also advised to avoid direct sun exposure from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Using an umbrella and hat, along with wearing footwear, is recommended. Political parties are advised to organise large public meetings, rallies, demonstrations, roadshows, and candidate tours only after 4 p.m.

The organisers of such public programmes should ensure that public meetings during the day are completed within the shortest time and that adequate shade and drinking water are provided. First aid facilities and an ambulance should also be arranged for heat-related health issues in public meetings that involve large crowds and last for a long time. Special attention should be given to the elderly, those with health problems such as heart disease and diabetes, those with skin diseases, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children, as they are more susceptible to heat-related health issues.

Those who have to stay in the heat for a long time, such as candidates, media workers, police officers on security duties, and political activists, must take necessary safety precautions. They should rest at regular intervals and drink plenty of water, the agency said.

If one experiences excessive fatigue, dizziness, headache, muscle cramps, or redness of the body, he or she has to be immediately moved to a shady place to rest., it added.

Meanwhile, the parts of State are likely to experience thundershowers influenced by a trough that runs from Marathawada to south Tamil Nadu across interior Karnataka.

Yellow alert

According to a weather bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday, an upper-air cyclonic circulation lies over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam and neighbourhood between 1.5 and 3.1 km above mean sea level. Under the influence of the system, thundershowers are expected across the State.

A yellow alert has been issued for Idukki and Pathanamthitta on Saturday warning of isolated heavy rains.

Similarly, Ernakulam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta were put on yellow alert on Sunday as well by the met agency.