Thiruvananthapuram/Kaladi: A 42-year-old woman has died of sunstroke in Ernakulam district as temperatures continue to rise across Kerala.

Day temperatures in Kerala are set to touch 40 degree Celcius. The Kerala Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) had recently warned that the northern districts of the state should brace for a surge in temperature levels. The KSDMA stated that the temperature could go up by 8 degree Celsius from the average in Kozhikode, Palakkad, Thrissur and Malappuram districts. According to a United Nations report released in February this year, 2018 was the fourth hottest year globally, with extreme weather conditions wreaking havoc.

Palakkad registered 39 degrees Celsius on Friday. The district was experiencing heat around 38 degree until recently. Scattered rain until March 26 could bring some respite.

Woman dies of sunstroke

Anila, wife of Subhash from Nayathod, had collapsed in Kalady town in Ernakulam district at 5 pm on Thursday. An autopsy led by Dr Abhijith Das, at Taluk Hospital, confirmed sunstroke as the cause of death.

Anila’s skin had blisters from sunstroke. Her body was dehydrated too, said hospital superintendent Dr Nasima Najeeb. Anila used to work at an agricultural nursery at Chethikode. She was in Kalady to buy medicine for her mother. She has two children: Sanjana, Anjitha.

Meanwhile, the state government has directed anganwadis in severely hot areas to reschedule working hours. Women & Child Development Director Sheeba George has asked them to work from 7am-12pm or 8am-1pm. Some anganwadis were closed because of the harsh weather. The new timings are meant to make sure distribution of nutritious food is not hampered either.