Bhubaneswar: A day after breaching the 40ºC-mark, the mercury continued to soar at several places on Thursday with an unusually early spell of heatwave gripping Odisha.
At 11.30 am, Keonjhar recorded 36ºC compared to 34.4ºC the previous day. Similarly, Bhubaneswar saw the mercury levels rise to 34.6ºC as against 33.6ºC on Wednesday. Samablpur, Rourkela and Hirakud recorded 35.6ºC, 35.2ºC and 35ºC respectively compared to 34.6ºC, 35ºC and 33.2ºC the previous day. Jharsuguda, however, saw the mercury drop to 36.6ºC from 37.2 ºC.
Boudh was the hottest in the state on Wednesday at 40.5 ºC.
Also Read: Mercury Soars Past 40ºC Ahead Of Holi In Odisha; 12 Places Record Temp Above 38ºC
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded orange and yellow heatwave warnings for 10 districts over the five days, including the Holi festival, when the temperature may touch 41ºC in western and northern Odisha.
Some places are also likely to experience hot and humid weather and warm nights, due to dry and hot north-westerly winds blowing towards the state.
Check the forecast here
Yellow warning of heatwave has been issued for one or two places in Balangir, Kalahandi, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Boudh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Sonepur districts on March 13. Hot and humid conditions may also prevail at one or two places in Bhadrak, Gajapati and Balasore.
Yellow warning continues on March 14, when heatwave is likely to prevail at one or two places in Kalahandi, Balangir, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Angul, Boudh, Sambalpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Sonepur districts. Hot and humid conditions are also likely at one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Gajapati, Khurda and Cuttack. There is also a warm night warning for one or two places in Balangir, Sambalpur, Sundargarh and Boudh.
The intensity of heatwave may increase during the subsequent two days with orange warning issued for Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Boudh, Sambalpur, Balangir, Kalahandi and Sundargarh districts on March 15 and Boudh, Sonepur, Bargarh, Balangir and Kalahandi on March 16.
Heatwave conditions may also prevail at one or two places in Kandhamal and Bargarh on March 15 with warm night conditions at one or two places in Balangir, Sambalpur, Boudh, and Sundargarh.
On March 16, there is also a heatwave warning for Nuapada. Warm night conditions are also likely at one or two places in Balangir, Sambalpur, Boudh, Sundargarh, and Jharsuguda.
Yellow warning of heatwave continues for Balangir, Nuapada and Bargarh on March 17.
The met office asked people to take precautionary measures while stepping outside during peak hours of the day between 11 am and 3 pm. It further stated that there will be no large change in the maximum and minimum temperatures during the next 5 days.
