No respite from heat wave in Odisha; death toll touches 66

Bhubaneswar, April 21:

Torrid heat wave conditions continued in Odisha as nine places recorded temperature above 45 degrees Celsius while the toll due to sunstroke has touched 66, officials said.

According to the met department, 16 places recorded above 40 degrees Celsius while mercury soared above 45 degrees Celsius in nine towns.

As western Odisha continued to boil under scorching sun, Titlagarh recorded highest temperature of 47 degrees Celsius followed by Sonepur at 46.2 degrees. Both Hirakud and Talcher registered 45.6 degrees Celsius. Mercury touched 40.3 degree at Bhubaneswar.

Meanwhile, regional director of met department Sarat Chandra Sahu said the heat wave condition would prevail in several parts of the state till April 24, and also warned that some places would experience severe heat wave in next two days.

He, however, said southern parts may experience rain within the next 24 hours or so while interior and western parts will continue to face crippling heat conditions.

Meanwhile, sources at the special relief commissioner’s office said that so far reports regarding death of 66 people due to sun-stroke have been received from different sources. (IANS)