Temperature in Polonnaruwa ... 38; Nuwara Eliya ... 24 -- beware of dehydration!

As a result of the prevalent heaty weather conditions high temperature values exceeding all other days is reported from various parts of the island. Changes in environmental systems which were in operation all over the country during the past 2 years have
contributed in bringing about a drastic rise in heat both during daytime as well as nighttime. 

The Weather Department say that the highest temperature recorded in history was reported day-before-yesterday (26) from Polonnaruwa. That value was Celsius 38 degrees and in certain areas in Polonnaruwa District the value has come close to 45 degrees or would be even more, it was mentioned. While the normal temperature in Nuwara Eliya remains at a value of 13 to 17 degrees Celsius, by now a sweltering heat has been felt in Nuwara Eliya. Already Nuwara Eliya has achieved a rise of a value of 24. 

As there is a possibility that farmers engaged in preparing land for cultivation purposes, school children and those employed outdoors could be subjected to dehydration, health authorities issue advice to drink water as much as possible and to cut down on moving about in the open from 10.00 in the morning till 4.00 in the afternoon. Shown below are maximum heat values and minimum heat values in several areas according to weather reports issued today 23rd:

Date: 28/04/2017

Town                               Heat value (Celsius degrees)

                                        Maximum            Minimum

Anuradhapura                        36                       26

Batticaloa                                33                       27

Colombo                                 33                       27

Galle                                       31                       27

Jaffna                                     34                       27

Kandy                                     32                       22

Nuwara Eliya                          24                       11

Ratnapura                               33                       25

Trincomalee                            36                       26

Mannar                                    33                       29