Published Apr 13, 2026 | 12:13 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 13, 2026 | 1:49 PM
Heat
Synopsis: The KSDMA issued a strong warning against a wave of fake heat-related messages circulating in Kerala. The viral message, masquerading as an “official warning,” claims that temperatures in Kerala will soar between 45°C and 55°C from 29 April to 12 May.
As temperatures begin to climb across Kerala, so does a different kind of heat—misinformation. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) on Monday, 13 April, issued a strong warning against a wave of fake heat-related messages circulating widely on WhatsApp, cautioning that such propaganda is not only misleading but also legally punishable.
The viral message, masquerading as an “official warning,” claims that temperatures in Kerala will soar between 45°C and 55°C from 29 April to 12 May.
It goes further, issuing alarming and unverified instructions — such as avoiding fully filling car fuel tanks and warning that mobile phones could explode due to extreme heat.
The message is being falsely attributed to a so-called “Civil Defence Department.” KSDMA has categorically clarified that no such department exists in Kerala.
Civil Defence in the state functions only as a volunteer wing under the Fire and Rescue Services, and not as an independent authority issuing weather alerts.
More importantly, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has not issued any forecast predicting such extreme temperatures in Kerala.
Officials emphasised that these claims are baseless and designed to create unnecessary panic among the public.
In its advisory, KSDMA reminded citizens that spreading or sharing false warnings during disaster-like situations falls under Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which carries legal consequences.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and rely only on official channels, including KSDMA’s website and verified social media platforms, for authentic updates on weather and safety advisories.
With summer intensifying, officials stress that while heat awareness is important, misinformation can be as dangerous as the weather itself—fueling fear, confusion, and potentially harmful behaviour.
The widely circulated WhatsApp message, claiming to be an “emergency warning” from a so-called Civil Defence Department, alleges that temperatures will surge between 45°C and 55°C from April 29 to May 12, urging people to avoid stepping out between 10 am and 3 pm.
It also lists a series of precautions, including keeping car windows slightly open, avoiding full fuel tanks, limiting mobile phone use due to “explosion risks,” and not storing items like perfumes, batteries, or gas products inside vehicles.
The message further advises increased intake of fluids like buttermilk, warns of hot winds affecting breathing, and even mentions the possibility of snakes and scorpions entering homes.
The message ends by urging people to share it widely, amplifying its reach.
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
