KOZHIKODE: Over 15 cases of sunburn have been reported from different parts of the district with temperature hovering around 37.5 degrees celsius for the past few days. Vijayan, 56, of Thiruvambadi panchayat near Kozhikode suffered sunburn on Wednesday. Many labourers continue to work between 12 noon and 3 p.m. though the district administration had asked the employers to allow them to rest at that time. The health department has issued guidelines for the public to follow in case of skin and health problems due to the heat.
The district has been reeling under heat wave in the past two weeks with many water sources and its tributaries drying up and causing drinking water shortage, said weather forecasting centre director A.S. Sudevan. After Palakkad, Kozhikode has reported the most severe heat wave, he added. Medical officials here said that if a person faints after being in the hot sun, he/she should be shifted to the shade and given plenty of water. Prompt medical attention should also be sought. All health care institutions have been told to be ready to treat heat strokes and other emergencies. The district administration has also asked all workers to rest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
