IMD issues yellow warning for hot, humid weather in Kerala

Kochi/Idukki/Kollam: IMD has issued a yellow alert for hot and humid weather in the state except for Idukki and Wayanad districts on Monday.It warned that Palakkad is likely to experience a maximum temperature of around 40 degree Celsius in isolated places. The maximum temperature in Kollam will be around 39 degrees. Other districts will witness three to four degree Celsius above normal.On Sunday, Palakkad recorded 40.1 degrees Celsius, 3.8 degrees above normal. Meanwhile, Punalur in Kollam recorded 39.5 degrees Celsius, 4.7 degrees above normal, on Sunday.Met department also issued a yellow warning of heavy rainfall at isolated places in Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kannur and Kasaragod districts on Wednesday and for Pathanamthitta and Kottayam on Thursday.IMD also said a thunderstorm accompanied by lightning is very likely to occur at one or two places in the state on Monday. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds, reaching up to 40-50 kmph, are very likely to occur at one or two places in the state from Tuesday to Thrusday.UV index crosses 8 in MunnarMunnar has witnessed a significant shift in weather conditions. Popularly known as Kashmir of the South for its cool climate, the hill station is now recording unusually high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.UV index in Munnar, which remained around three, has now surged to eight. The rise is attributed to clear skies and the hill station's high-altitude location, which allows direct exposure to sunlight. Orange alert is issued when UV index is in the 8-10 range and red alert is sounded when it touches 11.Authorities have urged both residents and tourists to exercise extreme caution, especially during daytime. Idukki district collector Dinesan Cheruvat has called for strict adherence to safety measures. The tourism department and the district tourism promotion council have been tasked with issuing guidelines to visitors.Elderly man found dead in farm, sunstroke suspectedA retired air force official was found dead in his agricultural farm at Kunnicode in Kollam on Saturday, due to suspected sunstroke. The deceased has been identified as Baby Philip, 85, of Njarakkad Thenginthara. Family members said Philip went to his farm early Saturday morning but did not return home even after 11am which prompted them to launch a search.Philip was found lying on the ground in the farm unconscious, with his head down, by local farmers who joined the search. He was rushed to a private hospital at Kunnicode and shifted to Thiruvananthapuram Govt Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead.Preliminary observations revealed burn-like marks on his face, hands and legs. Police officers said the exact cause of death could be confirmed only after a detailed postmortem examination.The body has been shifted to the medical college hospital mortuary.Police have registered a case and initiated an inquiry. Further investigation is under way.