Bhubaneswar: Odisha is reeling under intense heatwave conditions, with day temperatures rising to above 40 degrees Celsius in as many as 17 locations in the state.
Boudh became the hottest place in the state with mercury rising to an unprecedented 45.9 degrees Celsius, followed by 45.3 degrees Celsius in Sonepur and 45 degrees Celsius in Titlagarh.
In most parts of Western Odisha such as Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bolangir and Bhawanipatna, the day temperature is hovering over 44 degrees Celsius.
The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded day temperatures above 39 degree Celsius.
IMD sources said due to prevailing dry conditions in the state and the strengthening of northwesterly dry winds in middle and upper level of the atmosphere, maximum temperature (day) is likely to be 40 degrees Celsius or more at many places in the districts of interior Odisha from May 28 to June 1 next.
Consequently, maximum temperature (day) is likely to be above normal by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over some districts of interior Odisha from May 28 to June 1 and above normal by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius over few districts of coastal Odisha.
Due to absence of any major synoptic features and presence of high humidity in lower levels, hot and humid conditions are very likely over coastal Odisha during the next three-four days, the IMD said in its bulletin.
However, establishment of a north-south trough like features towards June 1 is likely to trigger thunderstorms activity from June 1 onwards over some districts of coastal Odisha.
The IMD had advised the people to take precautionary measures while going outside during the peak hours of the day.
There will be gradual rise in maximum temperature (day) by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius during next two days at many places over the districts of Odisha and there will be no large change thereafter, it said.
The weatherman has issued ‘yellow warning’ of hot and humid weather conditions at one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati districts from May 28 to 30.
The heatwave conditions are also likely to prevail in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bolangir, Sambalpur and Nuapada districts May 29 and May 30, it said.
PNN & Agencies