Showers pull down mercury in coastal Odisha, western parts still parched

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, May 9:

Light showers and breeze this evening brought respite in several parts of Odisha including capital city today.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), thunderstorm/squall occurred at a few places over coastal, south and north Odisha.

The thunder squall accompanied with rain and wind speed reaching 50 to 60 kmph was predicted by Bhubaneswar MeT earlier today.

However, western Odisha remained a cauldron as mercury hovered around 40 degree Celsius in at least five places.

Notably, the alleged heat wave deaths today reached 32 while the official figure stood at three.

The Meteorological Department had predicted that heat wave conditions would prevail in Odisha. It also predicted that thunder squall in some parts of the state may likely to bring respite from the scorching summer.

While Titilagarh recorded the day’s highest temperature of 43.0 degree Celsius in the state, mercury crossed 40 degree Celsius at nine places in the state, western Odisha being the worst-hit.

Bolangir recorded 42.5 degrees Celsius, Angul 42.1 and Jharsuguda 42.0 degrees Celsius. Similarly, Sambalpur 41.3 degrees Celsius, Hirakud recorded 41.0, Talcher 40.5, Chandbali 40.2 and Sonepur 40.0 degrees Celsius.

Daringibadi was the coolest place in the state with 20.0 degrees Celsius.

However, the state capital and Cuttack were comparatively cooler by recording maximum temperatures of 37.7 degree Celsius and 36.6 degree Celsius respectively, the MeT release said.