Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, May 20: Heat wave conditions intensified in state Wednesday, with weather offices recording temperatures above 40°Celsius at 12 places. Temperatures will continue to soar till May 26, as per a Met prediction.
Western Orissa continued to simmer with Titilagarh and Hirakud remaining the hottest places recording 44° Celsius followed by Sambalpur, which recorded 43.9 °Celsius during the day. The mercury level in Capital Bhubaneswar touched the 40.7°mark with relative humidity at 88 per cent.
While the mercury touched 43.4° Celsius at Jharsuguda and Sonepur, 43.2° Celsius was recorded at Bhawanipatna and 43° Celsius at Balangir. Other towns, which recorded above 40° Celsius were Angul (41.1), Sundergarh (41.5), Talcher (41.2) and Malkangiri (41).
Met sources predicted that temperature will continue to soar until May 26. However, light rain or thundershower could occur at a few places in coastal Orissa and adjoining districts of Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Rayagada, Gajapati and Koraput in the next 24 hours.
“The Heat wave-like condition may prevail over Orissa for a week due to Northwesterly dry and hot wind from Northwest parts of India blowing towards Orissa coast in addition to the clear sky condition here,” said Met director Sarat Sahu. A cyclonic circulation over east-central Bay of Bengal and subsequent formation of low pressure there in the last 48 hours favoured the continuation of flow of dry and hot northwesterly winds through the coastal parts of the state, he said.
“Temperatures ranging from 42 to 44°Celsius in most parts of state barring a few coastal and hill stations may prevail during the period. Sea breeze may not be prominent or may be even absent during these period. So, uncomfortable situation will be experienced during both day and night in both coastal and interior districts during these period,” Sahu added.
INSET
Life hit in Cuttack
Cuttack, May 20: Severe heat wave conditions continued to make life miserable for residents of silver city. People are reeling under the hot spell for the past 15 days with day temperatures increasing gradually. Several streets in the city have been wearing a deserted look in the afternoon. People remained indoors to escape the blazing sun. Those who came out had their heads covered with scarves and caps. Mitali Sarangi, a resident of station bazar said, “The sun’s rays are burning the skin. The only way to shield oneself is cover the face with handkerchief.”
