Bhubaneswar: The early onset of intense heat is already making its mark in Odisha, with daytime temperatures soaring to 35°C in several regions. Jharsuguda emerged as the state’s hottest spot on Saturday, recording a maximum temperature of 36.8°C, while Bhubaneswar registered 35.8°C.
Similarly, Sambalpur recorded 36.6°C, Hirakud 36.4°C, Sonepur 35.9°C, Sundargarh and Titilagarh 35.8°C each, Angul 35.7°C, Chandbali 35.8°C, Talcher and Rourkela 35.4°C each and Balangir and Bhadrak 35°C each.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of a harsher summer ahead compared to the previous year. Odisha is very likely to experience an increased number of heatwave days, particularly during April and May, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said after releasing the all-India hot weather season outlook (March to May) and the March monthly forecast in New Delhi.
According to Mohapatra, above-normal temperatures and heatwave condit
ions are expected across Odisha, though the intensity will be greater in the western interior districts than in coastal areas. He emphasised that March daytime temperatures in the state would remain normal or below normal, with any temporary relief likely tied to thunderstorm activity.
The IMD has forecast above-normal heatwave days over most parts of India – Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and others in the northwest, west-central, and peninsular areas 0 during the March-May period. It also highlighted potential risks to public health, water resources, power demand, and essential services, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and outdoor workers.
According to the regional met office’s extended-range forecast covering the next two weeks, maximum daytime temperatures are likely to range from 34°C to 36°C in select north interior districts and 32°C to 34°C elsewhere in the state through March 5 (February 27–March 5). The mercury is expected to shoot up from March 6 to 12 with daytime highs of 36°C–38°C in interior districts and 34°C–36°C over the rest of the state.
Manorama Mohanty, head of the regional IMD centre in Bhubaneswar, described March as a transitional period, after which the summer heat is likely to build and strengthen from April onwards.