Bhubaneswar: Odisha is likely to reel under severe heatwave conditions, triggered by tropical cyclone that formed over Bay of Bengal, for the next few days.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the day temperature is expected to rise by 2 to 3°C during the next 24 hours under the influence of dry westerly/northwesterly winds and high solar insolation. “Consequently, heatwave condition is likely in some districts of interior Odisha from May 15 and also the maximum temperature is likely to be more than 40°C and remain 3 to 5°C above normal at a few places.” it said.
HEATWAVE WARNING
People have been advised to take precautionary measure while going outside during day time between 11 am and 3 pm.
The mercury may touch 45 degree Celsius at Rourkela, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Sambalpur and Sundargarh during the day, the MeT office has forecast. On May 16, the number of places in the state recording 45 degree Celsius may go up to nine – Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Titlagrah, Balangir, Sonepur, Sundargarh, Boudh and Angul – with the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack at 40 degree Celsius each.
Six places – Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Titlagrah, Balangir, Boudh and Sonepur – are likely to register 45 degree Celsius on May 17. There will be slight drop in temperature thereafter, it added.
According to weather experts, heatwave engulfed Odisha as Cyclone Mocha while curving away from the eastern seaboard enhanced the flow of warm and dry westerly winds towards the state.