Heat wave returns to haunt Odisha; no sign of monsoon yet

Bhubaneswar: After a brief respite from the heat wave conditions, the scorching sun returned to haunt Odisha as the mercury hovered above 40 degree Celsius in at least 13 places in the state.

The maximum day temperature, especially in Western Odisha shot up significantly forcing people to stay indoors in the day time.

According to Met Department, Sambalpur was the hottest place in the state today recording 45 degree Celsius.

Hirakud, which was the hottest place yesterday witnessed 42.5 degree Celsius followed by Jharsuguda 44.2, Sundergarh (41), Balangir (41.8), Bhawanipatna (40.6), Titlagarh (43.4), Malkangiri (40.2) and Sonepur (44).

The state capital Bhubaneswar also witnessed a substantial rise in day temperature as it recorded 40.3 degree Celsius against 37.8.

The neighbouring Cuttack recorded 39.8 degree Celsius.

The coastal Odisha districts too witnessed a rise in the maximum day temperature compared than the last few days.

Balasore recorded 35.1 degree Celsius followed by Chandbali (40), Gopalpur (32.4), Paradip (34.1), Puri (35.6) and Baripada (37.2).

As people of Odisha have been waiting for the arrival of monsoon in order get relief from the heat wave, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is unable to predict its arrival in the state.

The southwest monsoon already hit Kerala on June 8.