Bhubaneswar, Apr 5 (Bureau)The state capital, Bhubaneswar, became the hottest place in Odisha on Friday as the daytime temperature soared to an unprecedented 43.5 degrees Celsius. The entire state of Odisha has been experiencing grueling heatwave conditions for the past few days, disrupting normal life in several areas and forcing people to remain indoors during peak hours. According to IMD sources, the state is witnessing intense heatwave conditions due to prevailing mainly north-westerly/westerly dry air and high solar insolation. Sources from the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Office reported that as many as 25 locations in the state recorded daytime temperatures hovering over 40 degrees Celsius, with ten of them recording temperatures above 42 degrees Celsius. Apart from Bhubaneswar, other places in Odisha where the mercury shot up above 42 degrees Celsius include Parlakhemundi (42.6), Talcher (42.5), Malkangiri, and Boudh (42.2 each), Angul (42.1), Bolangir, Titlagarh, and Nayagarh (42 degrees Celsius each).
IMD sources forecast that the maximum temperature (day temperature) is likely to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in many places across Odisha and may be above normal by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius in some districts until April 6. It has advised people to take precautionary measures while going outside during the daytime. Heatwave conditions are very likely to occur at one or two places in the districts of Khorda, Cuttack, Keonjhar, Boudh, Malkangiri, Nayagarh, Angul, Bolangir, Kandhamal, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, and Jharsuguda. The IMD further stated that warm night conditions are very likely to prevail at one or two places in the districts of Sundargarh, Bolangir, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Malkangiri, Nayagarh, Boudh, and Dhenkanal. The election rallies/gatherings need to be judiciously monitored during peak hours of the day (11 am to 3 pm), the IMD said and advised people attending rallies/gatherings to take necessary precautions to avoid prolonged exposure in high humidity and temperature areas.