Scorching Summer To Heat Up Poll Season In Odisha; Day Temp May Rise From Mid-March

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is likely to experience more heatwave days than normal this summer with El Nino conditions likely to continue at least until May, according to the seasonal outlook of India Meteorological Department (IMD), for March to May.

“We are expecting a higher number of heatwave days over most parts of the country over the next three months. The heatwave could hit the east-central states like Odisha as well as Maharashtra and northeast peninsular India like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as early as March,” said IMD Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.

Both the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be above-normal throughout the next three months over most parts of the country as it heads into the biggest election season.

“Gujarat and Odisha have a long coastline offering warm and sultry conditions. The interiors of both the states are known for scorching mercury levels, very early, in the month of March,” private weather forecaster Skymet said.

Last year, Odisha had also experienced spells of intense heat and recorded 20 to 22 heatwave days due to the El Nino condition against the usual 10-12 heatwave days during summer season.

Former director of the centre, Sarat Chandra Sahu, said day temperatures will rise mostly from mid-March

Umashankar Das, a scientist of the regional IMD centre, said maximum temperature would rise by 2-3 degrees Celsius at many places in the state during the next two days while attributing it to dry weather and approaching western disturbance. Besides, light to moderate rain may also occur at isolated places in some districts for two days from Sunday. Night temperature will remain above normal at many places, he added.

In the last 24 hours, Paralakhemundi in Gajapati was the hottest at 37.4 degree Celsius followed by Malkangiri (37), Titlagarh (36), Balangir (35.8), Nayagarh (35.5) and Jharsuguda (35). The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded 34.6 and 34 degree Celsius, respectively.