Bhubaneswar: The day temperature in Odisha is likely to hover around 40 degree Celsius or more and remain 3-5 degrees above normal at several places in Odisha during the next 36 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Thursday.
Orange warning for heatwave has been issued for some places in Mayurbhanj, Jharsuguda, Cuttack and Khurda till 8.30 am on Friday (April 21). Heatwave may also prevail at one or two places in Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Balangir, Deogarh, Angul, Sonepur and Boudh during this period. There is also forecast for light to moderate rain or thunderstorm at some places in Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Rayagada, Gajapati, Malkangiri and Kandhamal.
The IMD has advised people against direct exposure to heat. Farmers have been told to continue irrigation activities in sugarcane, summer maize, pulses and other crop and vegetables.
The heatwave is likely to continue for another 24 hours with yellow warning issued for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sonepur and Boudh. Light to moderate rain or thunderstorm is also expected at some places in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur and Puri.
On April 22-23, several districts in the state are likely to experience thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40kmph with more widespread rain, which may lead to a gradual fall in the day temperature by 2 to 4 degree Celsius, the MeT office said.
Notably, the mercury had soared past 40 degree Celsius in Jharsuguda and Bhubaneswar before noon. Jharsuguda was the hottest at 41.4 degree Celsius followed by Bhubaneswar at 40.2 degree Celsius, Chandbali and Keonjhar at 39.6 degree Celsius each and Balasore and Sambalpur at 38.6 degree Celsius each by 11.30 this morning.
By 2.30 pm, Jharsuguda was boiling at 42.8 degree Celsius, followed by Bhubaneswar (42.6), Chandbali and Sambalpur at 41.2 degree Celsius each, Keonjhar (40.6), Hirakud (40.4) and Balasore (39).
Maximum temperature is likely to touch 43 degree Celsius in Bhubaneswar.
Also Read: Why Baripada Faces High Temperature? Know What Experts Say
Odisha has been reeling under scorching heat over the past few days and the mercury crossed 43 degrees Celsius at 11 places on Wednesday. Baripada recorded 44.5°C followed by Nuapada at 44.4°C, and Balangir at 44°C. Bhubaneswar recorded 42.5°C, 4.6°C more than average normal temperature.
In view of the prevailing heatwave, the government has preponed summer vacation and it will begin from April 21.
Also Read: Summer Vacation In Odisha Schools Preponed In View Of Heatwave
