Heatwave Warning For 20 Odisha Dists Today; Mercury May Soar To 45°C By April-End

Bhubaneswar: A day after thunderstorm activity, Bhubaneswar on Thursday saw a slight drop in day temperature as mercury touched 33.8°C by 8.30 am compared to 34.2°C during corresponding period the previous morning. 

The India Meteorological Department has, however, predicted heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in some places of coastal Odisha during the next 5 days. Warning of severe heatwave condition have been issued for Gajapati, and Ganjam districts during the next 24 hours. Heatwave condition may also prevail in Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Angul, Nayagarh, Balangir, Boudh, Nuapada , Kandhamal, Khurda, Cuttack, and Dhenkanal districts.

The day temperature is also expected to rise by 4-6°C during the next 4 days.

This morning, Balasore and Talcher were the hottest at 36°C each, followed by Baripada and Bhawanipatna at 35°C each, Keonjhar (34.8°), Cuttack (34.6°C), Jharsuguda (34.2°C), Bhadrak (33.8°C) and Nayagarh and Chandbali at 33.6°C each. 

According to private forecaster Skymet, extreme heat abated in Odisha following scattered weather activity over the last 2-3 days. However, the relief is only for a short time as the extreme heat conditions are likely to build up yet again. “The current spell of weather activity will cease after April 28. Plenty of sunshine will build up the dry heat over the interior parts of Odisha. Mercury level may rise to about 45°C at many places during the last days of April and the first week of May,” it said.

Titlagarh, Sambalpur, Malkangiri, Koraput, Balangir, Angul and Keonjhar will exceed their normal range of temperature by 5-7°C. The extreme heat may even extend and reach Cuttack, Bhubaneshwar, Baripada, Rourkela and Rayagada, it added.

On Wednesday, 24 places in the state recorded maximum temperature of 40°C or above with Nuapada and Bhubaneswar being the hottest at 43.2°C as extreme heat continued to batter Odisha for the 10th consecutive day.