The Meteorology Department continues to issue heat warnings to the public as a result of a heat wave sweeping across Asia which is affecting hundreds of millions of people from India to Japan.
Geology Professor of the Peradeniya University, Athula Senaratna yesterday said that research has shown that temperatures have increased in most part of the country with the heat, exacerbated at least in part by human-caused Climate Change.
Climate research has shown that sweltering heat has become a commonplace occurrence in many countries in South East Asia, he said.
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre stated on its Heat index Advisory issued at 4 pm on May 3: “The temperature felt on the human body is expected to increase up to ‘Extreme Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-Central and Eastern provinces and that it is expected to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-Western provinces and in the Moneragala district.”
Prof. Senaratna said the country is experiencing much higher than normal temperatures and the average minimum temperatures at households are at 35 degrees Celsius. People in Sri Lanka are experiencing an increase of two degree of Celsius to four degrees Celsius in most part of the island, said meteorology experts.
“The temperature at the roof level or the ceilings has been 37 degrees Celsius in the Southern districts,” said Prof. Senaratna. “This can partly be attributed to the sun being positioned directly over the country. April typically has the warmest weather in Sri Lanka due to this reason,” he said.
The Meteorology Department has cautioned residents in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-Western provinces and in the Moneragala district against exposure to high heat.
As the heat can have threatening health impacts if it increases above 38 degrees Celsius the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services have issued heat advisories, said a spokesman for the Meteorology Department.
They have advised people at job sites to stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade as often as possible. People indoors have been advised to keep an eye on the elderly and the sick. Parents have been cautioned not to leave children in vehicles unattended, limit strenuous outdoor activities and to wear lightweight and white or light-coloured clothing. (CW)
