Bhubaneswar: Industrial town of Jharsuguda in Odisha was the hottest in the country for the second consecutive day on Wednesday with a maximum day temperature soaring to 39.6°C.
Akola in Maharashtra was close second at 39.3°C, followed by Wardha (38.9°C), Amravati (38.8°C), Nandurbar (38.7), Brahmapuri (38.6), Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh at 38.5°C, Solapur (38.4) and Nandyal and Jangamaheswarapuram, also in Andhra Pradesh, at 38°C each.
Jharsuguda along with Kurnool had recorded 39°C the previous day.
On Wednesday, the mercury soared past 35°C at 20 pla
ces in Odisha with Sambalpur, Hirakud and Talcher recording 37°C each. The state capital Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded 36.8°C and 34.8°C respectively for the second consecutive day. While the India Meteorological Department has forecast no large change in the maximum temperature during the next 6-7 days, mercury may soar to 39°C in Bhubaneswar by March 8 amid the prevailing dry weather conditions.
The weather agency has warned of a harsher summer ahead compared to the previous year. Odisha is likely to experience an increased number of heatwave days, particularly during April and May. Above-normal temperatures and heatwave conditions are expected across Odisha, though the intensity will be greater in the western interior districts than in coastal areas, according to IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra. He added that March daytime temperatures in the state would remain normal or below normal, with any temporary relief likely tied to thunderstorm activity.