Bhubaneswar: With the return of heatwave, the mercury soared past 40°C in at least 14 places in Odisha on Monday, according to the IMD’s evening bulletin.
Jharsuguda was the hottest place in the state at 45.4°C, followed by Boudh (43.2°C), Titlagarh, Sambalpur, & Sundargarh (43°C), Bhawanipatna (42.5°C), Hirakud at 42.4°C, Balangir (42.3°C), Sonepur (42.1°C) and Rourkela (42°C).
The mercury soared past 45 degree Celsius for the first time in the state this summer as heatwave conditions returned after a brief spell of thunderstorms, the weather agency said.
The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded 36°C and 35.8°C respectively.
Many places in the state recorded high temperature since morning hours. The mercury had soared to 44.8°C in Jharsuguda by 12.30 pm on Monday with heatwave conditions returning to Odisha.
The weather agency said that the day temperature is expected to rise by 3-5°C during the next 3 days. “Maximum temperature is likely to be above 42°C in Angul, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Balangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Bargarh, Kalahandi, and Nuapada,” the IMD said in its midday bulletin.
The mercury may rise and cross 40°C in twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack after 3-4 days, it added.