8 Dists On Orange Alert: Mercury Soars To 37.2°C In Odisha By 8.30AM

Bhubaneswar: The mercury soared to 37.2 degree Celsius in Jharsuguda by 8.30 am on Monday, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

Similarly, Sambalpur recorded 36.6 degree Celsius, followed by Hirakud (35.4) and Bhubaneswar and Keonjhar at 35 degree Celsius.

While the state is already reeling under sweltering heat, disrupting life, the Met Office has predicted worsening of conditions for three days from Monday with temperatures surpassing 45 degrees Celsius. Eight districts – Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Sambalpur, Balangir, Kandhamal, & Keonjhar – have been put on an orange alert on Monday and Tuesday.

Heatwave conditions (yellow warning) are also likely to prevail at one or two places in Sundargarh, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nayagarh, Mayurbhanj, Angul & Deogarh during the next 24 hours.

A heatwave is declared when temperatures exceed 45 degrees Celsius for five consecutive days, while it becomes severe when temperatures rise above 6.4 degrees Celsius.

On Sunday, heatwave conditions scorched Odisha with Jharsuguda recording the highest temperature of 44.8 degrees Celsius. At least seven places in the western part of the state recorded temperatures of more than 44 degrees Celsius, including Sambalpur and Boudh (44.6), Sonepur (44.5), Bargarh (44.4), Balangir (44.3), Hirakud (44.2) and Sundargarh (44.1). The accompanying humidity added to the discomfort of the people.

The IMD said that while western Odisha is likely to turn into a hot cauldron for 2 days, high humidity will be recorded in coastal areas. Bhubaneswar had recorded 30 degree C and a humidity of 88% at 5.30 am. 

HEATWAVE WARNING