Mercury Breaches 41°C In 7 Places Of Odisha; Malkangiri Hottest

Bhubaneswar: As heatwave conditions further intensified across Odisha, maximum temperature crossed or touched 41 degree Celsius in seven places of the state on Tuesday. The mercury soared above 40 degree Celsius in at least nine places.

According to the evening weather bulletin issued by the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, Malkangiri became the hottest place in the state registering the highest temperature of 41.7 degree Celsius.

Titlagarh in Balangir district closely followed recording 41.5 degree Celsius, while Boudh registered 41.5 degree Celsius. The mercury touched up to 41.2 degree Celsius in Bhawanipatna, while Nayagarh, Balangir and Talcher recorded maximum temperature of 41 degree Celsius.

Angul and Jharsuguda recorded 40.7 degree and 40.3 degree Celsius respectively.
The maximum temperature in state capital Bhubaneswar stood at 37.2 degree Celsius, while it was 38.4 degree in Cuttack.

It may be noted here that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heatwave warning for Odisha for four days from Wednesday.

It said the day temperature in the state will rise by 2-3°C after 48 hours. Odisha is also likely to witness warmer nights during this period. The mercury may touch 40°C in twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack by April 2 and climb to 41-42°C in the following days. Boudh, Titlagarh and Balangir are likely to turn into hot cauldron with temperature touching 43°C.

“Due to prevailing mainly northwesterly/westerly dry air and high solar insolation, day temperature is likely to remain more than 40°C at many places in Odisha and 3°C to 5°C above normal from April 3-6. People are advised to take precautionary measure while going outside during day time between 11 am and 3 pm.”

Notably, the IMD has predicted harsher summer in Odisha this year with a significant jump in the heatwave days in April-May-June period. It is among the eight states in India that may experience the worst impact of heatwaves.

According to SOA’s Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC), the flow of hot air into Odisha from north-west and peninsular India and clear sky has led to heat wave like conditions and it is likely to continue till April 7.

The scorching heat, low humidity during the day and absence of sea breeze from the Bay of Bengal had combined to push up the day temperature, Director of CEC Dr Sarat Chandra Sahu said.

He said the maximum day temperature might hover between 40 to 42 degrees C in most parts of interior Odisha up to April 7. The temperature might vary between 37 and 39 degrees C in coastal Odisha during the period.

There is a probability of rain with thunderstorm and lightning in the afternoon or night of April 7 and the weather pattern might continue till April 9, he said adding this would favour a fall in day temperature from April 8 to 10 during which period most places might record less than 38 degrees C.

The temperature might rise again from April 11, he added.