Warm weather advisory issued for Eastern province and five districts

The Department of Meteorology has issued a warm weather advisory for residents of the Eastern province and the districts of Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Polonnaruwa and Monaragala.

The heat index — the temperature felt by the human body — is likely to rise to “Caution Level” at some places in those areas during the daytime, the department said.

The Met Department explained that the Heat Index Forecast is calculated using relative humidity together with the maximum temperature, and reflects conditions as experienced by the body rather than the air temperature alone.

At Caution Level, prolonged exposure to the sun and sustained outdoor activity will result in fatigue, the department said, while continuing such activity could lead to heat cramps.

Residents in the affected areas have been asked to stay hydrated and to limit strenuous outdoor activities.

The advisory is the latest in a series issued for the island’s northern and eastern dry-zone districts, which have been running hot through an extended dry spell. The Met Department issued a similar warm weather advisory for much the same regions on July 22, alongside a strong-wind warning. Separately, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board said this week that it has no plans as yet to restrict water supply despite the dry conditions.

Heat advisories carry no restrictions, but health authorities generally urge extra care for outdoor workers, children and the elderly while they remain in force.

Update — July 31: advisory re-issued for August 1

The Met Department issued the same advisory again on Friday (31), this time covering the daytime of Saturday, August 1. The affected areas are unchanged — the Eastern Province and the Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu, Vavuniya, Polonnaruwa and Monaragala districts — and the heat index is again forecast to reach “Caution” level at some locations, the Daily Mirror reported.

The department repeated its guidance that prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and outdoor activity can cause fatigue, and that continued strenuous activity may lead to heat cramps. Residents in the affected areas have again been asked to stay hydrated and to limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day.

The repeat advisory extends an unbroken run of warm-weather warnings for the same dry-zone districts across late July.