Thiruvananthapuram: The heatwave alert will continue in the state till Saturday with the Indian Meteorological Department predicting a rise in temperatures in many areas. As many as 117 cases of heat rash (52) and sun burn (65) were reported on Thursday raising the total number of heat-related incidents to 286 in the state.
According to the IMD, temperatures are likely to go up by 2 to 3 degrees in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam , Palakkad, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod. Pathanamthitta is the worst hit.
According to health authorities, exposure to the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. may cause sunstroke due to strong UV rays. Educational institutions have been asked to avoid summer vacation classes.
As part of the efforts to make available clean drinking water to the public, the authorities have opened control rooms at all district collectorates.
