Red Alert For Heatwave In Odisha; Temp May Touch 45°C In Bhubaneswar & Cuttack

Bhubaneswar: Odisha can expect no respite from the searing heat anytime soon with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday predicted heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in parts of the state for five more days.

Red warning has also been issued for several districts on April 26-27. “While the mercury is expected to rise by 2-4°C at many places in Odisha during the next 3 to 4 days, the day temperature may remain at 40°C or above in coastal districts of the state due to prevailing northwesterly to westerly dry air and high solar insolation,” according to the midday bulletin.

The mercury levels may touch 45°C in twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack on April 29-30 & May 1 with Jharsuguda and Balangir being the hottest at 46°C.

While the Met office has predicted that the day temp may soar to 43°C in Bhubaneswar during the day, the city had recorded 42.2°C by 2.30 pm, only second to Jharsuguda at 43.6°C. The other places where mercury soared past 40°C include Hirakud (42.2°C), Sambalpur (42.2°C), Keonjhar (41.8°C), Chandbali (41.8°C), Rourkela (41.4°C), and Balasore (41°C).

HEATWAVE WARNING

Private forecaster Skymet has also predicted a build up in extreme heat conditions in Odisha after April 28. “Plenty of sunshine will build up the dry heat over the interior parts of Odisha. Mercury level may rise to about 45°C at many places during the last days of April and the first week of May,” it said.

Titlagarh, Sambalpur, Malkangiri, Koraput, Balangir, Angul and Keonjhar will exceed their normal range of temperature by 5-7°C. The extreme heat may even extend and reach Cuttack, Bhubaneshwar, Baripada, Rourkela and Rayagada, it added.

On Wednesday, 24 places in the state recorded maximum temperature of 40°C or above with Nuapada and Bhubaneswar being the hottest at 43.2°C as extreme heat continued to batter Odisha for the 10th consecutive day.