KSDMA issues alert as high ultraviolet index recorded in many places

Kochi: IMD issued a yellow alert for maximum temperatures for eight districts on Friday. A hot and humid warning was issued for Kannur, Kasaragod, Alappuzha, Kollam, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad on Friday.Maximum temperatures are likely to be around 37°C at isolated places in Kannur and Kasaragod and 36°C in Alappuzha, Kollam, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad districts on Friday. Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) issued an orange-level alert as a high ultraviolet index (UVI) was recorded in many places. Munnar saw a UVI of 10, while Konni, Chenganassery and Chengannur recorded a UVI of 9. Kottarakkara, Ollur, Thrithala and Ponnani saw the UVI touch 8. In the last 24 hours, the maximum temperature fell appreciably in Malappuram, but it was above normal in Kottayam. Kannur airport recorded the highest maximum temperature of 38.2°C and Punalur recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 22.5°C. IMD said that an upper-air cyclonic circulation lay over Kanyakumari area and neighbourhood at 0.9km above mean sea level. The upper-air cyclonic circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Sri Lanka at 3.1km above mean sea level became less marked. INCOIS issued a swell surge alert for Lakshadweep and Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu. Swell waves in the range of 15.0–19.0 sec period with 0.5–1.1m height were forecast from Friday to Sunday for Agatti, Amini, Androth, Kavaratti and Minicoy. It advised that there was a possibility of surging waves, that boats should ply with utmost vigilance and that recreation should be undertaken with due care.