Bhubaneswar: With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting return of hot and humid and heatwave conditions to Odisha, the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner on Wednesday directed the health secretary to take precautionary measures in the healthcare facilities across the state.
The SCR said that day temperature is likely to be 40°C or more at many places in the districts of interior Odisha due to prevailing dry conditions across the state and strengthening of north-westerly dry winds in middle and upper level of atmosphere. “Hot and high humid conditions will prevail over coastal Odisha during this week and maximum temperature is also likely to remain 2-3°C above normal in a few districts.”
In view of the prevailing situation, the heath secretary has been asked to review facilities at the CHC/ PHC/ Sub-
Divisional and District Headquarters Hospitals to tackle heat-related problems. “The doctors and health workers working at the grassroots level may be sensitised properly,” the order added.
By 11.30 pm, the mercury had touched 40°C and above at five places in the state. Jharsuguda was the hottest at 42.8°C followed by Sambalpur (42.2°C), Hirakud (42°C), Rourkela (40.8°C), and Keonjhar (40.5°C). Bhubaneswar recorded 38.8°C.
The IMD has forecast hot and humid weather condition at one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts till May 30. Heatwave may also prevail in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Balangir, Sambalpur, and Nuapada districts on May 29-30.
On May 31, thunderstorm with lightning accompanied by gusty surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph may occur at one or two places in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Jharsuguda, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi.
Yellow warning of thunderstorm with lightning accompanied by gusty surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph is also likely in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Angul, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kalahandi and Kandhamal on June 1.
The weather agency further said that the day temperature may rose by 2-4 degree Celsius at many places in the state during the next 2 days.
