THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Among the places where IMD has observatories in the state, Vellanikkara in Thrissur recorded the highest maximum temperature this summer season. On March 26, Vellanikkara, where the Kerala Agriculture University is located, had recorded 39 degrees Celsius. Mercury had touched highest points such as 38 degrees Celsius and 37 degrees Celsius many times in Punalur and Vellanikkara.
However, the Met Department has no observatory in Palakkad where unofficial records showed record temperatures. Met will start a part-time observatory at Palakkad soon.
The highest temperature recorded in Punalur in March was between 35 and 38 degrees Celsius. Places such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Kannur had reported highest temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius in March. According to IMD, the period from March to May is considered as the summer season. However, the state had been experiencing severe heat even from mid-February.
According to the Met officials, the IMD has been recording the air temperature. “People may feel more heat than the recorded rate as high humidity and direct sunlight would increase the discomfort factor,” a Met official said.
Met Department is also expecting afternoon thundershowers in isolated places in the state in the coming days. Thundershowers are expected to bring some respite to the severe heat the state is experiencing.
IMD has observatories in Alappuzha, Kannur, Karipur, Kochi, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Punalur, Thiruvananthapuram and Vellanikkara.