Odisha turns into a boiling cauldron as mercury rises above 40 degrees Celsius in 32 locations.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 18 (FN Representative) Several parts of Odisha virtually became a boiling cauldron on Thursday as the day temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius in as many as 32 locations. Bhubaneswar, the state capital, became the hottest place in the state with the mercury rising to a record 43.6 degrees Celsius during the day, followed by Boudh (43.5 degrees Celsius) and Angul (43.3 degrees Celsius). IMD sources stated that at least seven places, including Balasore, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Bhawanipatna, Malkangiri, Nayagarh, and Dhenkanal, recorded day temperatures over 42 degrees Celsius. The state government had already declared the closure of all government and private schools in the state for three days until April 20 due to the blistering heat wave conditions sweeping the entire state with no respite from the hot summer in the next few days. According to the IMD bulletin, hot and humid weather conditions and heat wave conditions are likely over several districts of Odisha during the next four days.

Due to prevailing mainly North Westerly/Westerly dry air and high solar insolation, day temperatures are very likely to be 40 degrees Celsius or above at most places over the districts of Odisha and likely to be above normal by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius over some districts of Odisha during the next four days. The Weather Office has predicted that the day temperature is likely to touch 45 degrees Celsius in some places during the next 24 hours and advised people to take precautionary measures while going outside during the daytime between 1100 hours to 1500 hours. The IMD has issued an Orange warning stating that the heat wave to severe heat wave condition is very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Khordha, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Mayurbhanj, Angul, and Nuapada. Heatwave conditions are also very likely at a few places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, and Ganjam. MeT sources said light rain/thundershower is likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Koraput, Gajapati, Ganjam, and Rayagada, while dry weather is very likely to prevail over the rest of the districts of Odisha.