Jharsuguda: A severe heatwave has gripped western Odisha, pushing temperatures to alarming levels and severely disrupting daily life, with Jharsuguda emerging as one of the hottest places in the country.
On Tuesday, Jharsuguda recorded a maximum day temperature of 45.3 degrees Celsius, the highest of the season so far and nearly 4.7 degrees above normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The industrial town ranked as the second hottest city in India, just behind Banda in Uttar Pradesh, which recorded 45.6 degrees Celsius.
The mercury soared past 40°C at as many as 12 places, most of them in western part of the state. Other districts in western Odisha have reported similarly high temperatures. Boudh recorded 43.7 degrees Celsius, Sambalpur 43.5 degrees Celsius, Hirakud 43.4 degrees Celsius, Bargarh 42.9 degrees Celsius and Nuapada 42.5 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in Titilagarh, Talcher and Bolangir also exceeded 42 degrees Celsius.
Sonepur recorded 41.9°C, Bhawanipatna 41.8°C, Sundargarh 41.5°C and Rourkela 40.7°C, according to the IMD. The intense heat has left streets largely deserted from as early as 8am, as residents struggle to cope with the scorching conditions and oppressive humidity.
Labourers, street vendors and daily commuters have been particularly affected, facing significant hardship due to prolonged exposure to the extreme weather. Night-time conditions have offered little relief, with the minimum temperature remaining high at 27.2 degrees Celsius.
Meteorological officials have forecast that the heatwave conditions are likely to persist over the coming days. In response, local authorities have issued advisories urging people to avoid stepping outside between 11am and 3pm unless absolutely necessary.
Health officials have recommended adequate hydration, the use of umbrellas or damp clothes when outdoors, and wearing light cotton clothing to minimise heat-related illnesses. Experts attribute the early and intense heat this April to reduced atmospheric moisture and the infl ux of dry winds, raising concerns over a prolonged and harsh summer season across the region.