Bhubaneswar: As the scorching heatwave gradually intensified across Odisha, at least 19 places in the state recorded 40 degree Celsius or above on Sunday.
As per the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur turned out to be the hottest place in the state for the second day in a row recording 43.2 degree Celsius. On Saturday, the city had recorded 42.7 degree Celsius.
Sambalpur was closely followed by Titlagarh which recorded 42.5°C, while the day temperature in Balangir touched 42°C.
As the entire western region virtually turned into a boiling cauldron, the day temperature touched 41.8 degree Celsius in Sundargarh, while it was 41.7 in Angul, 41.6 in Hirakud & Jharsuguda, 41.4 in Sonepur, 41.2 in Boudh and Paralakhemundi, 40.7 in Dhenkanal, 40.6 in Bhawanipatna, 40.5 in Khurda, 40.4 in Bargarh, Rourkela & Baripada and 40 degree Celsius in Nuapada & Nayagarh.
State capital Bhubaneswar recorded 40.7 °C, up from 40.2 degree Celsius recorded on Saturday. Notably, the temperature in the state capital had crossed 40 degree Celsius for the first time this summer. Last year, the mercury had breached 40 degree Celsius on April 5.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that Odisha is likely to experience heatwave and hot and humid conditions over the next five days.