Bhubaneswar: While mercury soared past 40°C at three places in western Odisha by 11.30 am, the coastal region of the state experienced severe discomfort due to high humidity levels on Wednesday.
According to a post on X by senior meteorologist Umasankar Das, Jharsuguda sizzled at 42.4°C before noon, followed by Sambalpur and Hirakud at 41°C each, Keonjhar at 37.6°C and Rourkela at 37.4°C. Coastal regions of Chandbali and Balasore at 36.6°C and 36.2°C respectively with Bhubaneswar at 35.5°C, though relatively cooler, were humid.
Das shared a detailed humidity report of coastal areas before noon with the highest of 79.1% recorded in Gopalpur, followed by Puri (74.2%), Paradip (72.8%), Balasore (64.3%), Chandbali (63.3%) and Bhubaneswar (61.6%).
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a spell of intense heat and humid conditions over the next four days. While
western districts are expected to continue facing severe heatwave conditions, coastal and northern Odisha may witness isolated rain, lightning, and gusty winds during the afternoon and evening hours. However, significant relief from the oppressive weather is not expected.
According to the midday bulletin, hot and humid conditions may prevail at isolated places in Balasore, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Bargarh, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri and Khurda from May 20-24. Warm nights may prevail in Sambalpur and Balangir on May 20-21; and Sundargarh, Sambalpur and Balangir from May 22-24.
Heatwave warning
May 20: Bhadrak, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Angul and Nayagarh.
May 21-22: Bhadrak, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Angul, Sonepur, Boudh, Balangir and Nayagarh.
May 23-24: Bhadrak, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Angul, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir and Nayagarh.
On Tuesday, 21 places recorded temperatures of 40°C or above with the industrial town of Jharsuguda in the western region emerging as the hottest place in the state at 44.8°C, followed by Hirakud at 44°C, and Sambalpur at 43.6°C. The mercury soared to 41.1°C in state capital Bhubaneswar, while Cuttack recorded a maximum temperature of 39.8°C.