Heat Wave Alert In Kerala After Half A Decade As Temperatures Soar

Omanna's family has been forced to leave its tribal settlement and shift to regions by the side of the Baveli river in Kannur.

Severe summer heat, with temperatures crossing 40 degrees, unusual for Kerala, has meant no water for them in their settlement in the last few weeks.

"We are living here because there is no water in our tribal colony. We keep telling officials, has anyone come and checked on our complaint?" Omanna, in her 40s says, sitting in a makeshift hut of coconut leaves.
 "Immediate arrangements have been made to make water available in the tribal colonies. But, there has not been any permanent solution yet. I have written to the Chief Secretary and am sure a permanent solution will come very soon," said P Bala Kiran, District Collector of Kannur.

Temperatures are higher than in the last 29 years in some parts of Kerala.

For the first time in the last five years, heat wave warnings have been issued in Kerala, asking people to stay indoors between 11 am and 3 pm.

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But, that is not always possible, especially for those who survive on daily wages.  Amritha M, 58, must venture out to work every day. "It's unbearably hot. I have even fainted couple of times in last one month", she said.