Half of Odisha singes as mercury crosses 40° C

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, May 1:

Intense heat wave conditions are back to make life miserable for people as at least 15 places in Odisha recorded over 40 degree Celsius today.

The norwester-induced rainfall in many parts of the state had pulled the mercury down by few notches providing much-needed respite to the people. However, the relief was short-lived as the rise in mercury witnessed a sharp rise today.

The temple city, which recorded 39.9 degree Celsius yesterday, touched 44 degree Celsius today. A brief spell of drizzle accompanied by gusty wind in the afternoon, however, cooled the air to some extent.

According to IMD bulletin, severe heat wave conditions are likely to prevail at some places in Odisha for at least two days.

While Bhawanipatna recorded the highest temperature today at 44.5 degree Celsius, temperature in 14 other places breached the 40 degree Celsius mark. Temperature in the capital city and Titlagarh was recorded at 44 degree Celsius each followed by Talcher at 43.7, Dhenkanal 43.2, Jharsuguda and Balasore at 43 degree Celsius each, Chandbali 42.7, Hirakud and Angul 42.1, Cuttack 42, Sambalpur 41.9, Keonjhar 41.1, Phulbani 41 and Sundargarh 40 degree Celsius.

According to sources in the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) office, as many as 135 sunstroke-related deaths have been alleged this summer of which 13 sunstroke deaths have been confirmed so far. The deaths have been confirmed after scrutiny of 61 reports.