Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, May 28: The Meteorological Centre here has detected a cyclonic circulation over interior Orissa and adjoining Chhattisgarh that could trigger rainfall over a few parts of the state in the next 24 hours.
This is set to provide some relief to people of the state who have been suffering from the heatwave sweeping the region for the past few days.
The Special Relief Commissioner Thursday confirmed the 12th death due to sunstroke in the state while the number of cases of people alleged to have died of sunstroke remained high at 89. Jajpur and Ganjam remain the worst affected by the heatwave with 17 and 16 alleged deaths respectively.
Despite the slight dip in the maximum mercury level, the Meteorological Centre has recorded a maximum temperature of 46.5°Celsius at Bhawanipatna, followed by 45.5°C at Sambalpur and 45.4°C at Hirakud Thursday.
As many as 13 places Thursday recorded temperatures above the 40 °C mark. Titilagarh and Bolangir recorded 44.5°Celsius while the mercury level remained at 44.7° Celsius at Jharsuguda.
The maximum temperature recoded in the capital was 40° Celsius Thursday.
Weather officials have predicted cloudy skies for the city Friday with the maximum temperature likely to remain under 40°Celsius. Rain or thundershower could also occur over the city and its neighbourhood in the next 24 hours.
“The trough line was transformed into a cyclonic circulation Thursday that could trigger light to moderate rainfall over interior Orissa in the next 24 hours. The southwesterly wind is also bringing in moisture from the sea. This could further lead to a squally weather condition over the coastal areas and the adjoining districts,” said Met director Sarat Sahu.
The weatherman said though a moderate heatwave condition may sustain over the state till the end of May, there will be a decrease in temperature afterwards. The temperature will come to normal around June 5.
Two died of sunstroke
Salipur/Daspalla: Two persons are reported to have died of sunstroke in Cuttack and Nayagarh districts Thursday. Udayanath Kar (81) of Lunahara village under Salipur block fell ill while returning from Salipur market. He was admitted to hospital and succumbed during treatment. In Paikabaghuabereni village under Daspalla block in Nayagarh district, Labanya Bhukta (45) died of sunstroke.