Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is reeling under extreme heat. The Indian Meteorological Department has warned that 5 districts in the State will witness a temperature rise of 2 to 3 degrees in the next two days. The department has also given certain guidelines to avoid sunburns.
Following rise in temperature across the State, the Labour Commission had earlier ordered rest for those working under the sun from 12 pm to 3 pm.
Owing to the intense heat, the Child Rights Commission has asked educational institutions to avoid insisting children to wear uniforms that include shoes, socks and tie.
The Commission has also asked that drinking water be available at exam halls and provide aeration for the children appearing for exams.
Extreme heat had already claimed the life of a farmer in Kollam District. Two youth from Malappuram were injured by sunburns.
In a clear sign that Kerala is headed towards a warmer summer, reports say that the state recorded a 46% fall in rainfall from January 1 to February 27.
While there was 70% fall in rainfall in Alappuzha, Malappuram, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kollam, no rainfall was received in the districts of Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod during this period.
Kerala received only 13 mm of rainfall against the normal amount of 23.9 mm.