Killer heatwave: 10 dead as temperature in Kerala crosses 40 degree Celsius

Kerala's Palakkad district continued to sizzle at 40.4 degrees Celsius on Tuesday as heat wave conditions prevailed in many parts of the state with ten persons dying due to sunstroke over the past few days.

"Ten persons have died so far due to sunstroke," director of health services, Dr R Ramesh said.

Malampuzha in Palakkad district has been registering temperature of above 40 degrees Celsius for over a week. Kannur recorded 38.7 degrees Celsius, Kozhikode 37.8 , Punalur 37.6, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram airports 35.3 each, the MeT department officials said. They said heat wave conditions are very likely at isolated places in Kerala till tomorrow especially in Palakkad and Kozhikode districts.

Heavy rainfall is also likely from May 5-7 at isolated places, they added.

In the wake of the heat wave warning by IMD, health officials have issued strict guidelines for those who work in the open during day time to avoid sunstroke and other related ailments. Authorities in many districts had yesterday ordered educational institutions to remain shut until further directive.