Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) has issued a series of animated shorts in Kannada advising people of appropriate measures to take during extreme temperatures to keep oneself safe.
"Karnataka has not seen such extreme temperatures and heat waves in the recent past. So, we wanted to ensure a wider reach for safety measures, therefore we decided to issue them in a reader-friendly format," said an official from KSNDMC.
Meteorological Centre Bengaluru, Indian Meteorological Department, had issued a five-day heat wave warning, lasting till April orange alert, for parts of Karnataka.
"In places like Bagalkote, Vijayapura, Kalaburgi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, Tumkur, Mandya, Gadag, Davangere and Chitradurga, the temperature is likely to touch 40 degrees Celsius tomorrow," said C P Patil, director of the centre.
On April 25, these places recorded a maximum temperature of 39 degrees Celsius. Orange alert would mean increased likelihood of heat illness symptoms in people who are exposed to sun for a prolonged period of time as well as those who do heavy manual work.
According to Patil, coastal Karnataka will also have very hot and humid weather conditions, making it very uncomfortable for people there.
"It's best for children and old people to avoid exposure to heat in coastal areas too," added Patil. In places where heat wave is predicted, people are advised to avoid direct exposure to sunlight between 12 noon and 3pm.
"When they go out, it is best to use protective goggles, an umbrella or a hat. Also aerated drinks must be avoided since they cause dehydration. Best to drink water as much as possible, even if you don't feel thirsty," said M Rajavel, head of LACD, Meteorological Centre, Bengaluru.
People are also advised not to leave the children or pets inside parked vehicles. The maximum and minimum temperatures of Bengaluru are very likely to be around 37 degree Celsius and 23 degree Celsius respectively for the next 48 hours, said Patil.
Hassan recorded the highest jump from its normal minimum temperature. It recorded 22.6 degrees Celsius, about 2.8 degrees more than usual.
According to IMD, on April 29 light rain is also very likely in isolated places over Bidar, Kalaburgi, Yadgir, Vijayapura, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Kodagu, Mysuru, Mandya and Chitradurga districts.
On April 30, light rain is predicted again for Bidar, Kalaburgi, Yadgir, Vijayapura, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, Chikkamagaluru, Tumkur, Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban and Kodagu districts.
Incidentally, KSNDMC has also issued a series of animated advisory for lightning safety.
"We also update temperature every 15 minutes in our X handle in coordination with IMD," added the KSNDMC official.
ವಿಪರೀತ ತಾಪಮಾನದಿಂದ ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸಲು ಈ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಜಾಗೃತಿ ವಿಡಿಯೋಗಳನ್ನು ವೀಕ್ಷಿಸಿ ಮತ್ತು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಆರೋಗ್ಯವನ್ನು ಕಾಪಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ
— Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (@KarnatakaSNDMC) April 25, 2024
Watch these public awareness videos to protect yourself from extreme temperatures & take care of your health#ರಣಬಿಸಿಲು #ಬಿಸಿಗಾಳಿ #ಸುರಕ್ಷಿತವಾಗಿರಿ #ಮುನ್ನೆಚ್ಚರಿಕೆವಹಿಸಿ pic.twitter.com/OIQT48nUrz
#Stayhydrated #DrinkWaterStayHealthy #StayIndoorsStayCool #BeatTheHeatIndoors #StayCoolStayInside pic.twitter.com/pB7zn45LPb
— Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (@KarnatakaSNDMC) April 25, 2024
#HeatwaveHealthcare #BeatTheHeatWithCare #HeatwaveMedicalSupport #HeatwaveFirstAid #HeatwaveSafetyCare #HeatwaveHealthTips #animalcare pic.twitter.com/PgTTbL3Z5g
— Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (@KarnatakaSNDMC) April 25, 2024
25 ರಿಂದ ಏಪ್ರಿಲ್ 29 ರವರೆಗೆ: #ಬಿಸಿಗಾಳಿ ನಿಂದ ತೀವ್ರ ಬಿಸಿಗಾಳಿ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಒಳನಾಡಿನ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿರುವ ಸಾಧ್ಯತೆಯಿದೆ, ಮತ್ತು ಕರಾವಳಿ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿಸಿ ಮತ್ತು ಶುಷ್ಕ ವಾತಾವರಣವು ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿರುವ ಸಾಧ್ಯತೆಯಿದೆ
— Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (@KarnatakaSNDMC) April 25, 2024
ಆರೆಂಜ್ ಅಲರ್ಟ್ ಘೋಷಣೆ
ಮೂಲ:IMD#ರಣಬಿಸಿಲು #ಸುರಕ್ಷಿತವಾಗಿರಿ #ಮುನ್ನೆಚ್ಚರಿಕೆವಹಿಸಿ @KarnatakaVarthe pic.twitter.com/Gs7AycqX3S
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The BJP-led NDA has decided to boycott the Erode East bypoll scheduled for February 5 and would focus on dethroning the ruling DMK in the hustings next year, the saffron party's state unit said on Sunday.
The BJP's announcement virtually makes the election a no-contest as the main opposition AIADMK and the DMDK have already announced boycotting the byelections necessitated by the death of Congress MLA EVKS Elangovan. The DMK has nominated VC Chandrakumar on behalf of its-led bloc, which also has the Congress in the alliance.
BJP TN chief K Annamalai said the upcoming elections were a “byelection for a byelection”, following the bypoll held here in 2022. He recalled there were accusations of the ruling DMK then "confining" people at designated places.
The NDA faced the DMK violating poll rules due to the "arrogance" of being the ruling party.
"The coming 2026 Assembly polls are one meant to remove the DMK (from the ruling saddle), and the NDA is moving towards that target and does not want to allow the DMK to confine people like cattle once again," he said in a statement.
"All leaders of the NDA who wish for people's welfare, after detailed consultation, have decided to boycott the Erode East bypoll. Our target is to remove the DMK in the 2026 elections and give the NDA's good governance to people," Annamalai said.
The state has been pushed to a "dark period" with no safety for various sections of society and the DMK government was an "anti-people" one where law and order has also failed, the former IPS officer alleged.
NDA constituents in the state include Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK).
Incidentally, the AIADMK that was a part of the NDA in 2022 had fielded its nominee in that year's bypoll to Erode East seat but lost to Congress' Elangovan, who faced the elections following the death of his son and local MLA E Thirumahan Everaa.