Bhubaneswar: Heatwave gripped almost entire Odisha with as many as 15 places recording maximum temperature of 42 degree Celsius or more on Sunday.
According to evening bulletin of the regional centre of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Balangir was the hottest place in the state with day temperature of 44.5 degree Celsius.
Balangir was followed by Titlagarh with 44 degree Celsius, Jharsuguda 43.6, Bhawanipatna 43.5, Boudh 42.9, Sambalpur, Sonepur and Malkangiri 42.8, Angul 42.7, Sundargarh 42.4, Rourkela 42.2, Bargarh 42.1, Talcher, Nuapada and Nayagarh with 42 degree Celsius on the day.
The IMD has forecast that the heatwave is very likely to prevail at a few places in the districts of Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sonepur and Balangir for next 4 days. Maximum temperature (day temperature) is very likely to gradually rise by 2-3 degree C at many places in Odisha during next 24 hours.
The Met office has stated that the heat will be tolerable for general public but would pose health concern for vulnerable people including infant, elderly and sick people. It is advised to avoid heat exposure, keep cool and avoid dehydration, it added.