Kottayam: Kottayam recorded the highest daytime temperature in the country on Thursday, with the mercury touching 36.6 degrees Celsius. Weather expert Rajeevan Erikkulam said that the temperature was 4.2 degrees Celsius above the district's normal.

He noted that daytime temperatures are rising abnormally even as nights and early mornings have become colder.

Kannur also recorded a maximum temperature of 36.6 degrees Celsius on the same day. Kottayam had earlier topped the national temperature chart on December 15 as well.