Relief! Mercury drops below 40 deg C across Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Finally, people of Odisha heaved a sigh of relief as the maximum day temperature dropped significantly today across the state after heatwave conditions prevailed for over the last few weeks.

According to the regional centre of India Meteorological Department (IMD), not a single station recorded above 40 degree Celsius. Sundergarh was the hottest place in the state today recording temperature of 39 degree Celsius.

Western Odisha towns which were reeling under intense heat wave two days back witnessed drop in the mercury. Titlagarh recorded 34 degree Celsius followed by Bolangir (33.5), Sambalpur (36.5), Jharsuguda (38.4), Hirakud (35.3), Phulbani (38.4) and Malkangiri (30.2).

The state capital Bhubaneswar recorded 36.2 degree Celsius while neighbouring Cuttack witnessed 36 degree Celsius.

In coastal areas, the day temperature too fell substantially, bringing relief to people from the scorching sun.

Balasore recorded 35 degree Celsius followed by Chandbali (38.4), Paradip (37), Gopalpur (33.5), Puri (35.8) and Baripada (37.8).

Meanwhile, the Met office here predicted that light to moderate rainfall will occur at most of the places in the state in the next few days.

Earlier in the day, the weathermen had said that the southwest monsoon is likely to arrive in Odisha next week.