Bhubaneswar: The mercury soared past 40°C for the first time this season in Odisha as the daytime temperatures rose by 2–3°C on Thursday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Jharsuguda recorded the state’s highest maximum of 40.8°C. Some other western Odisha districts also experienced sweltering heat amid the prevailing dry weather conditions. Hirakud in Sambalpur was close second at 39.2°C, followed by Sambalpur and Sundargarh at 39°C and Rourke
la at 38.4°C.
The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack logged 38.6°C and 35.6°C respectively.
The IMD has predicted no large change in the temperatures during the next 48 hours, through Saturday, March 14, with no major relief in sight for most areas. A trough line extending from southern Jharkhand through northern Chhattisgarh and into interior Odisha, however, could trigger light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thundershowers in parts of the state on March 15 and 16.
Yellow warning of thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching up to 30-40 kmph has been issued for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore and Bhadrak districts on March 15 and Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur on March 16. This is likely to bring a modest drop of 1–2°C in maximum temperatures in affected areas.