Bhubaneswar: Even as monsoon is forecast to reach Odisha 2-3 days earlier than usual date this month, the entire state continued to be in the grip of heatwave and high humidity on Thursday.
According to evening bulletin of regional centre of India Meteorological Department (IMD), as many as 9 places in the state reported maximum temperature of 43 degree Celsius on the day compared to 5 places on Wednesday.
Sonepur remained the hottest place of Odisha with mercury shooting up to 44.8 degree Celsius. It had recorded 44.4 and 44.5 degree in the last two days.
Sonepur was followed by Balangir with 44.5, Titlagarh 44.4, Sambalpur 43.8, Bargarh 43.6, Hirakud 43.5, Bhawanipatna 43.5, Malkangiri 43.5 and Jharsuguda 43.4 degree Celsius.
The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded 37.2 and 38 degree Celsius respectively. The seaside town of Gopalpur had the lowest temperature with 32.4 degree though it recorded highest humidity of 88%. As many as 9 places in the state had 80% or more humidity.
The IMD has issued a yellow warning and forecast thunderstorm with lightning at one or two places in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendrapada districts in next 24 hours.
It has also forecast that light to moderate Rain or thunderstorm is very likely to occur at one or two places in North Coastal Odisha, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal, Sundargarh, Rayagada and Gajapati districts, while dry weather will prevail in rest of Odisha.
