Heat advisory issued for most parts of the island

The Department of Meteorology has issued a heat index advisory for North-western, North-central, Eastern, Western provinces and Monaragala, Mannar, Rathnapura and Vavuniya districts.

Issued at 4.00 p.m. today (17 March), the advisory is valid for tomorrow (18 March).

It states that the heat index, the temperature felt on human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in North-western, North-central, Eastern, Western provinces and Monaragala, Mannar, Rathnapura and Vavuniya districts.

As per the advisory, under this level of temperature, fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure and activity, while continuing activity could result in heat cramps.

For this reason, members of the public are advised to stay hydrated, take breaks in the shade as often as possible and limit strenuous outdoor activities. They are also requested to wear lightweight, white or light-coloured clothing, to check up on the elderly and the sick and never leave children unattended.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.