Illustration: Orion/OnmanoramaThiruvananthapuram: Kerala continued to sizzle with the temperature touching 41.6 degrees Celsius at Malampuzha in Palakkad district on Wednesday, the highest in the state for the second day.
On Tuesday, Malampuzha had recorded the highest temperature of 41.9 degrees Celsius in 29 years.
Kannur recorded 39.2 degrees Celsius and Kozhikode 38.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, IMD Regional centre sources here said.
Also read Alert! Heatwave to scorch Kerala in the coming days
Some places in the state received summer showers giving some respite for the people.
70 cases of sun burn and one death has so far been reported from the district, Palakkad District Medical Officer, Dr Reetha, told PTI.
A farmer was provided treatment at the outpatient ward on Wednesday after he suffered sun burns following exposure to sun for over two hours.
"Most of the cases being reported are burns in the back of the neck and shoulders," she said.
Declare Kerala drought-hit state: Oommen Chandy
Meanwhile, chief minister Oommen Chandy urged the Centre to declare Kerala a drought-affected state.
He said a high-level meeting of ministers and government officials would be held in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday to discuss the 'unprecedented' drought conditions prevailing in many parts of the state.
Issues related to drinking water scarcity will also be discussed at the meeting.
Chandy, who is in the midst of the May 16 assembly poll campaign, said the government has got permission from the Election Commission to deal with the drought situation.
"Drought has become a major issue. I am cancelling my election campaign programme and going to Thiruvananthapuram to chair a meeting convened to discuss drought issue. Our demand is that Kerala should be declared as a drought-affected state," the chief minister said.
He cited the prevailing extreme hot weather condition affecting normal life in several areas.
Mammootty offers his help
Chandy was talking to media after noted Malayalam film star Mammootty met him to express his willingness to work for drought relief operations in the state.
We're facing famine, it's time to act together, urges Mammootty | Video
Referring to drought situation in Latur in Maharashtra, Mammootty said many areas of Kerala would also face a similar situation if civil society and government fail to step in to solve the water crisis.
He said a meeting of civil society activists and other organisations would be held on Thursday to discuss the way drought relief operations should be organised in the affected areas.
Mammootty also invited all those interested in drought relief operations for the meeting.
(With inputs from agencies)
