Is there a warning regarding a severe heatwave condition in weather?

Sometimes, the information shared on social media is misleading and can even cause unnecessary fear and panic among the public.

Accordingly, as information was being shared that a severe warning had been issued regarding hot weather conditions these days, we conducted an investigation regarding that.

Social Media :

Here is how this warning was issued.

“High alert has been issued…

From 29^th April to 12^th May, from 10 am to 3pm, no person should go out (under the open sky) because the Meteorological Department has said that the temperature will go up to 45 degrees Celsius to 55 degrees Celsius, so if any person feels suffocated or suddenly falls ills, then immediately consult a doctor, keep the door open inside the room so that there is ventilation, reduce the use of mobile, there is a possibility of mobile bursting, please be careful and inform people, use cold drinks like curd, buttermilk, wood apple juice etc. as much as possible.

Extremely important information

The Directorate General of Civil Defence warns citizens and residents about the following.

Due to the suffocating atmosphere in most areas due to rising temperatures between 47 to 55 degrees Celsius and the presence of cumulus clouds in the coming days, here are some warnings and precautions.

These should be removed from cars

Gas materials 2. Lighter 3. Carbonated beverages 4. Generally perfumes and appliance batteries 5. Car windows should be slightly open (ventilation) 6. Do not fill the fuel tank of the car completely 7. Fuel the car in the evening 8. Avoid travelling by car in the morning 9. Do not over- inflate the car tyre, especially during the journey.

Beware of scorpions and snakes as they will come out of their burrows and may enter parks and houses in search of cool places.

Drink plenty of water and fluids, ensure not to keep the gas cylinder in the sun, ensure not to overloads the electricity meters and use the air conditioner only on the occupied areas of the house, especially during peak summer. And take a rest

of 30 minutes after two the three hours. Outside 45-47^o, keep AC at home at 24-25^o, your health and well being will be fine. Avoid coming in direct contact with sunlight, especially between 10 am to 3 pm.

Finally: Please share this information as other people may not know any may be reading it for the first time.

Regards, Directorate General of Civil Defense.”

Facebook | Archived Link

We could see that this message was shared all around the world not only in Sri Lanka.

However, we checked whether the Meteorological Department has issued an announcement regarding such an extreme weather condition.

Fact Check :

Usually, if a weather warning is issued, it is reported through the mainstream media, so we checked whether such an official announcement was reported through the mainstream media on April 29^th.

However, we could not see any mainstream media news report regarding an extreme heatwave yesterday or today. There was only information that some areas in several districts could experience heavy rains of up to 100mm. You can refer to some weather news from yesterday here and here.

We also checked the website of the Department of Meteorology, as if a warning is issued, it is posted through the website.

Accordingly, the weather forecast for today (30) had stated that showers or thunderstorms could occur in many parts of the island during the evening or night.

This is how the weather conditions were shown on a Sri Lankan map by the Department of Meteorology.

It indicates that some areas will experience rainy conditions while others will experience hot weather.

However, we further checked the website and found that a warning on a hot weather condition has been issued for several areas, effective only on April 29^th and 30^th.

However, this announcement is not related to April 29^th to May 12^th as indicated in the social media post, nor is it warning regarding a severe heatwave. It also does not contain any of the facts indicated in the social media post.

This is not a severe heat warning at all and the statement states that the heat index, i.e., the temperature felt by the human body, may remain at a level that requires “warning” in some areas of the Northern, Eastern, North Central provinces and the Monaragala and Hambantota districts.

The announcement also emphasized that “this is not the maximum possible atmospheric temperature.” The Department of Meteorology has also stated that the temperature level that should be taken into account is 39-45 degrees Celsius.

Social media is reporting that temperatures will rise from 45 degrees Celsius to 55 degrees Celsius. However, if you look closely at this announcement, you will see that the Meteorological Department has not informed the public about such a situation.

Position of Director General of Civil Defence

The social media post states that the announcement was made by the Director General of Civil Defense. However, there is no such position in Sri Lanka, but only the position of Minister of Public Security. Accordingly, it should belong to the Ministry of Defence and such a weather warning is never issued by the Ministry of Defence in Sri Lanka. However, we inquired with the Ministry of Defense regarding this matter and they confirmed that no such announcement was issued and that such a task does not fall within their subject matter.

Similarly, the Department of Meteorology’s announcement states that this announcement has been prepared only with the support and advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

Accordingly, it is clear from this information that the information published regarding this hot weather warning is false.

Department of Meteorology

We inquired the Department of Meteorology regarding this matter for further confirmation. Accordingly, the Meteorological Department stated that in addition to the announcement on the website, no heatwave warning has been issued for the extended period from April 29th to May 12th regarding severe heatwave conditions.

Furthermore, yesterday (29) the Daily Mirror website had also reported that the Meteorological Department had denied the high alert announcement which is currently circulating on social media stating that the temperature would rise to 45 degrees Celsius.

A meteorologist on duty has told the Daily Mirror that no such warning has been issued while also advising the public to be cautious.

They have explained that only a hot weather advisory has been issued for yesterday (29), and that the body temperature felt by humans is likely to reach the ‘warning’ level in some areas of the Northern, Eastern and North-Central provinces, as well as in the Monaragala and Hambantota districts.

Hot weather in other parts of the world

Since many people in other countries had also shared this message, we investigated to see if any country in the world had issued an announcement regarding such a high temperature situation.

However, it was not possible to see any official news or announcement being issued in this manner.

However, it was reported that the United Arab Emirates is experiencing high temperatures these days.

Accordingly, news published today (30) states that due to the extremely dry weather in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, the country’s National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) has issued a notice. Accordingly, the centre said that scorching temperatures between 42°C and 46°C are expected in the inlands of the country and temperatures between 39°C and 44°C in coastal areas and islands. It is also stated that even in mountainous areas, maximum temperatures will be between 32°C and 39°C.

Yesterday (29), the highest temperature in the country was recorded at 46 degrees Celsius in Al Shawamak, Abu Dhabi.

However, the timeline and information mentioned in the social media post are not included in this news.

But such news may have prompted these social media posts.

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Conclusion :

Accordingly, the post on social media stating that a severe hot weather warning has been issued is false and no such announcement has been issued by the Meteorological Department.