Bhubaneswar: The early heatwave, which saw mercury soar to 40°C at eight places on Thursday, will continue to scorch Odisha till March 18, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Friday.
It has warned of severe heatwave, heatwave, hot and humid and warm night from March 14-18.
Amid the warning, Jharsuguda recorded 37.4°C at 11.30 am as against 36.6°C the previous day. The industrial town was the hottest on Thursday at 41.4°C followed by Boudh (40.8°C), Balangir (40.4°C), Hirakud, Titilagarh and Bhadrak at 40.1°C each and Baripada and Sambalpur 40°C each. Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded 38.2 and 37.5 degree C respectively.
The mercury may soar to 39°C in the state capital on Friday, according to the MeT office.
Orange Warning
Orange warning of heatwave to severe heatwave has been sounded for one or two places in Jharsuguda, Sambalpur and Mayurbhanj districts on March 14-16. Heatwave conditions along with warm nights may also prevail at one or two places in Sundargarh, Boudh and Balangir during this period.
The heatwave and warm night warning continues for Boudh, Sonepur on March 17.
Yellow Warning
On March 14, heatwave conditions are also likely at one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Angul, Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Kalahandi and Gajapati. Hot and humid conditions may prevail at one or two places in Khurda, Puri and Jajpur.
On March 15-16, heatwave may continue to singe one or two places in Keonjhar, Bargarh, Balasore, Gajapati, Bhadrak, Sonepur, Angul, Dhenkanal and Kalahandi districts.
Hot and humid conditions may prevail at one or two places in Khurda, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Puri and Jagatsinghpur on March 15 and in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati on March 16.
Malkangiri may experience warm nights from March 14-16.
On March 17, heatwave warning has been issued for one or two places in Bargarh. Hot and humid conditions may prevail at one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati districts.
On March 18, heatwave conditions may continue at one or two places in Boudh and Sambalpur. Hot and humid conditions may prevail at one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati.
The weather further stated that there will be no large change in the maximum and minimum temperature during the next 5 days in the state.
In view of the prevailing heatwave conditions, the Special Relief Commissioner’s (SRC) office has directed the collectors to remain alert and take immediate action in case of an emergency.