The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Kerala): The state of Kerala in India has temporarily closed all educational institutions until next Monday due to extreme heat conditions. This measure aims to protect residents from the current severe temperatures affecting the coastal region.
India is experiencing high temperatures nationwide, with the meteorological department predicting a greater than usual number of heatwave days from April through June, coinciding with the country’s general elections, which have already seen reduced voter turnout due to the heat.
Heatwaves are uncommon in Kerala, but this April alone, the region experienced five such days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD links this increase to the El Nino phenomenon, which generally causes warmer conditions in Asia and increased rainfall in parts of the Americas.
The IMD also noted that fewer thunderstorms and an anti-cyclonic system near the southeastern coast of India are contributing to these heatwave conditions.
In response, the Kerala government has issued advisories urging the public to minimize sun exposure and has called on officials to be vigilant in preventing fires. Several districts in Kerala have officially issued heatwave warnings, necessitating the shutdown of schools and colleges.
This phenomenon is not isolated to India; other regions in Asia and North Africa are also experiencing school closures due to heatwaves, which according to experts, may exacerbate educational disparities between developed and developing nations.
Local reports in Kerala have attributed at least two deaths this week to the intense heat, although official confirmation is pending. On Thursday, temperatures in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital, soared to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), but felt as high as 46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit) due to high humidity levels.
Additionally, other parts of India have faced forest fires, fueled by dry conditions and exacerbated by local practices such as forest burning for collecting flowers used in traditional brewing. These incidents highlight the broader environmental challenges posed by rising temperatures and dry spells.
