Bhubaneswar: Even 10 days after the arrival of the south-west monsoon here, the state continued to singe under intense heat wave condition.
Scorching heat prevailed in almost all parts of the state Monday with mercury soaring over 40 degrees Celsius in at least 15 places of the state. Barring a few places, all parts of the state recorded a maximum temperature of 6 to 7 degrees Celsius higher than normal temperature that usually prevails during monsoon season.
Heatwave along with humidity threw normal life out of gear. Roads and streets wore a disserted look during day time with people preferring to stay indoors.
“Every day, I take my launch in my room. But, today due to severe heatwave, I took my launch in a hotel nearby my workplace. The weather condition is too hot. I am eagerly waiting for the rain,” said Manoj Panigrahi, an employee working in the Common Service Centre’s state office.
Manaswini Panda, a housewife, thanked the state government for extending the school holiday by three days. “If the schools were opened, it would be very difficult to send kids to schools. The climatic condition is very hot. So I prefer to stay inside the house with my kid during day time,” she said.
According to local Met office, highest temperature of 42.2 degrees Celsius was recorded in both Bhubaneswar and Baripada town.
The maximum temperature at Talcher was 42 degrees Celsius while it was 41.9 degrees at Angul, 41.7 degrees at Chandbali, 41.5 degrees at Titlagarh, 41.2 degrees at Balasore, 40.8 degrees at Bolangir, 40.6 degrees at Cuttack, 40.5 degrees at Dhenkanal, 40.2 degrees each at Sambalpur and Sonepur, 40.1 degrees at Hirakud, Jharsuguda and Paradip, the Met office said.
The director of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, HR Biswas, said, “As the monsoon has weakened and there is no moisture in the air, the temperature has increased. Besides, hot wind flew from the north west side. Therefore, the state is witnessing a severe heatwave condition. Such condition will prevail for at least two more days.” This is not for the first time Bhubaneswar is witnessing such a climatic condition in June, he said.
Monsoon back here in 3 days?
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted return of monsoon in the state after three days. The south-west monsoon had hit Odisha June 8 which was two days in advance. However, the process weakened and subsequently, severe heatwave returned to the state. Till date, the monsoon has not covered all districts of the state.