Thiruvananthapuram
As Kerala faces high temperatures, CM Pinarayi Vijayan convened a meeting on Thursday to address the potential for heat waves. He announced that educational institutions would close until May 6 to protect students from the heat.
During the online meeting with the State Disaster Management Authority and District Collectors, the CM also discussed monsoon preparedness. With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow alert for several districts, Vijayan urged residents to avoid direct sunlight between 11 am and 3 pm.
Workers like construction laborers and farmers were advised to adjust their schedules, and daytime parades and drills for police and fire brigades were halted. Fire audits were ordered for high-risk areas such as markets, waste sites, and hospitals.
In terms of monsoon readiness, Vijayan directed local bodies to start clearing blockages in drains, culverts, and small canals. He stressed the importance of controlling garbage, managing mosquitoes, and preparing relief camps.
He also directed authorities to remove hazardous trees, branches, and hoardings before the rains begin. Warning signs should be posted in tourist areas, and people living in landslide-prone regions should be made aware of potential risks, he added.
