As Sri Lanka grapples with a sweltering heatwave, authorities are issuing advisories to help citizens navigate the challenges posed by the scorching temperatures. 

Meteorology Department Director General A. Karunanayake provided insights into the current weather conditions and the potential impacts on public health.

Karunanayake highlighted the regions most affected by the intense heat, stating that the North Western, Northern, North Eastern, and Uva Provinces were experiencing higher heat indices. 

He explained that the lack of significant rain cloud formation had contributed to the rising temperatures, and while some coastal areas may experience scattered showers, other parts of the country remained rain-deprived. 

“The most affected areas where the heat index is high are in the North Western, Northern, North Eastern, and Uva Provinces. If it rains the heat index will change, but while there are clouds developing and there is moist air, the rains are yet to begin. There may be some scattered showers in the coastal areas in the southwest of the country, but there are no rains in other parts of the country. The actual intermonsoon has not yet started. This is why the heat the human body is feeling has now increased.” 

Taking precautions

Karunanayake underscored the importance of taking precautions to mitigate the risks associated with the ongoing heatwave.

“People should take measures such as avoiding dark-coloured clothing, which absorbs heat, and opt for lighter-coloured clothing like white that does not absorb heat,” Karunanayake advised. 

He also emphasised on the need to refrain from strenuous activities during peak heat hours and to increase water intake. However, he acknowledged that the impact of the heat index varied among individuals, with the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions being particularly vulnerable.

Heat advisory 

To address the situation, the Meteorology Department has issued a heat advisory for certain regions, serving as an early warning system to help people safeguard themselves from the effects of extreme heat. 

Karunanayake assured that the heat index was not expected to escalate beyond current levels and an upgrade to an ‘Extreme Caution’ advisory was unlikely.

“Taking into account the less activity in rain cloud formation coupled with the increase in heat, we have issued a heat advisory for certain parts of the country to ensure that people are forewarned about the current conditions. It is unlikely the heat index will increase from the current numbers and we don’t expect we will have to upgrade the heat advisory to ‘Extreme Caution.’”

Vulnerable groups at higher risk

Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe echoed the importance of staying hydrated during this heatwave. He cautioned against rigorous outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day, specifically between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. 

“With the extreme heat, there is a high risk of becoming dehydrated, so frequent hydration is very important. People should also avoid doing rigorous activities during midday and in the afternoon, while also ensuring to take breaks at least once an hour. This is especially important for hours between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as that is the time when it is the hottest.”

Wijesinghe pointed out that certain vulnerable groups – such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension – were at a higher risk of dehydration and heat-related complications. He stressed on the need for them to avoid direct sunlight during the afternoon.

“Special attention should be given to certain age groups such as small children, school children, pregnant mothers, the elderly population, as well as people with chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension – those who are physically weaker than the normal population – as they are more prone to becoming dehydrated and in extreme cases could experience heat strokes. They should avoid direct sunlight during the afternoon.” 

Prioritise water consumption 

Members of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), including Dr. Sajith Edirisinghe, offered additional guidance on hydration. Edirisinghe advised people to prioritise water consumption over sweet and soft drinks to avoid potential health complications. He recommended drinking around 2.5-3 litres of water daily to stay adequately hydrated.

“People should hydrate more, but must make sure to avoid soft drinks and sweet drinks. This is because if one gets used to opting for sweet drinks or soft drinks over water and drinks them frequently for the purpose of avoiding dehydration, there could be long-term health complications that occur from consuming too much of such unhealthy products. Around 2.5-3 litres of water should be drunk on average each day.” 

Moreover, Edirisinghe highlighted an important aspect of water storage. He recommended using glass bottles over plastic, particularly for long-distance drivers who carry water in their vehicles. This is because commonly used plastic bottles are single-use and contain the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), which can lead to health risks, including the potential for cancer.

“Another message that must be put out is for long distance drivers who carry water in their vehicle: they must carry water in glass bottles over plastic. This is because the commonly-used plastic bottles are single-use plastic items and must be thrown away due to the harmful chemical bisphenol A (BPA) being used during manufacture. There is a risk of cancer due to this chemical.”

Amid this heatwave, authorities and medical experts are working collaboratively to ensure that the public remains informed and empowered to take measures that safeguard their wellbeing during these challenging weather conditions.