Bhubaneswar: The winter seems to have faded away in the month of February as the mercury has risen over a past week in Odisha.

Bhubaneswar that has been registering sharp rise in the maximum temperature in the State in past four days broke the country's record on Thursday becoming the hottest city with the mercury hovering around 39.4 degree C.

According to Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, the temperature will rise further in next four to five days.

Similarly, the maximum temperature in most parts of the State may rise by 2 to 4 degree Celsius, which is above the normal in the month of February. However, the night temperature will not rise, the regional meteorological centre said.

As per the MeT, the maximum temperature in Bhubaneswar should be between 32 and 33 degree Celsius during this period. But, now it is up by 6.5 degree Celsius. Similarly, the night temperature should be between 20 and 21 degrees. But now it is 17 degree C. Such large differences in day and night temperatures have surprised meteorologists.

Such temperature is favourable for the dry season (paddy and groundnut) crops. This will be beneficial for crop production as the night temperature is normal. But if the mercury rises above 40 degrees, it will pose a threat to the crop, said meteorologist Surendranath Pasupalak.

The meteorological center said the heat wave has begun early in the State this year. It is growing day by day. Such weather condition will last until the end of February and the first week of March. In the next four to five days, the maximum temperature in the State will be about 4 degree Celsius. As a result, the temperature in the State is likely to exceed 40 degree Celsius from the beginning of March.

On the other hand, dense fog was observed in some places of southern Odisha including Malkangiri district in last 24 hours. In some parts of southern region, the minimum temperature has dropped, while the southern coast and northern coast of Odisha have been below normal. The minimum temperature is normal in the rest of Odisha. The minimum temperature in Phulbani was recorded at 10 degrees Celsius, the MeT said.