HEATWAVE IN SRI LANKA AND THE DIFFICULTIES THAT FOLLOW.

Sri Lanka usually is one of the hottest countries in the world because of its location near the equator. Sri Lanka is a small, tropical island.

Typically, March to May and August to October are hot months in Sri Lanka. The average temperature on these days is around 30°C.  The highest temperature recorded in Sri Lanka from 1949 to 2023 was September 2012 from Trincomalee. It was 39.5°C.

This year, the heat in Sri Lanka is intolerable for the environment and its life. From March this year to now, daily, the temperature is around 35°C in most districts continuously. This heat wave is predicted to continue until the start of the southwest monsoon in May.

Daily, the meteorological department releases announcements on the high-temperature level, affecting many districts, and health instructions are given by the Department of Health. But still, many difficulties faced by the people are reported by media.

The science behind this heat wave is already discussed in El Niño, ENSO, Climate Change, and Sri Lanka’s Current Heat article. Hence, this article mainly focuses on how increased temperatures affect human health .

The ongoing heat wave in Sri Lanka

The daily Weather forecast is often introduced as sweltering days with acute sunlight from 11 am to 3 pm, You can can follow these reports here and here. Though the temperature in the environment is around 35°C, the human body feels like it is 39°C to 45°C.

As mentioned above, many precautions have been released by the Ministry of Health for school children, pregnant mothers, toddlers, and other parties separately.

Heatwaves and climate change.

The  heat can result in side effects such as droughts and wildfires. So, heat waves are acting as an indicator of climate change. Global warming is also symbolized by an increase in global atmospheric temperature.

There can be indirect effects as well. With the hot weather, people have started using more power to cool their workplaces and houses. With the increased demand, more power should be generated. Hence, there will be an indirect increase in greenhouse gases which paves the way to intensifying climate change.

Health Impacts

The most vulnerable people to this excessive heat are the elderly, infants and children, pregnant women, outdoor and manual workers, athletes, and people experiencing poverty.

How does the heat impact health?

The human body has processes to control body temperature in a given range. Usually, human body temperature is governed by the external heat of the environment and the heat generated through metabolic processes. When the external temperature rapidly increases, the body tries to regulate the temperature in the range by controlling the metabolic rate internally. Metabolic rate is significant for the human body. So, controlling its speed beyond a certain point may cause many complications in the body.

Has the Heatwave caused health complications in Sri Lanka?

To know more about this Climate Fact Checks team, contact physician consultant Dr. Rakitha Hikgoda from Base Hospital in Dambulla.

He mentioned that this heat wave could be dangerous due to the possibility of causing; heat strokes, cramps, and heat exhaustion among the vulnerable populations.

Heat Stroke

When you have a heat stroke, your body temperature becomes around 39 degrees Celsius. The skin turns red and dry, but no sweat. The pulse becomes rapid and robust. Then dizziness, confusion, or unconsciousness can occur.

Heat Cramps

Muscle pain or spasms in the stomach, arms, and legs can occur in heat cramps as signs.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is pervasive among people in hot seasons. Typically, dizziness can occur as signs of heat exhaustion, heavy sweating, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, headache, fainting, paleness, and fast or weak pulse.

How to avoid the health risks caused by Heatwaves.

The main advice given from local health departments is to always stay hydrated. Everyone should avoid soft drinks, alcohol, caffeine, and hot drinks as much as possible. Cold drinks and food, fruits such as king coconut and watermelon are suggested to be consumed during this period.

It is suggested to wear clothing that is loose fitting and light colored. The dark colors absorbs heat and make the body hotter. People should also pay attention to the material of the clithes worn. Silk and nylon materials can not absorb sweat and increase sweating. But fabrics like cotton and linen are suitable to decrease and absorb sweating.

High-energy activities should be minimized as much as possible. Specially the Ministry of Health has ordered people avoid outdoor activities of school children such as sports meets. Especially in midday, around 11 am to 3 pm, people are warned not to go outside for outdoor activities.

Using fans is not very suitable during this period. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but it does not reduce body temperature.

 The best way to prevent these health hazards is to follow advice from health departments.

To avoid these risks in the future, planting trees around the houses and installing appropriate ventilation systems are essential.

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