Heat Wave Grips Odisha, Mercury Level Crosses 44°C

Bhubaneswar, Apr 19: Odisha witnessed severe heatwave conditions on Friday as day temperatures crossed 44 degree Celsious mark in isolated pockets in the State.

According to the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, Boudh town in western Odisha was the hottest place in the State at 44.3 degree Celsius, followed by 44.2 degree Celsius at Baripada in Mayurbhanj district.

Ten other places recorded maximum temperature at or above 43 degree Celsius, including Jharsuguda at 43.8 degree Celsius, Angul at 43.7 degree Celsius, Titlagarh at 43.5 degree Celsius, Balangir, Bhawanipatna, Malkangiri and Nayagarh each at 43 degree Celsius.

As many as 32 places recorded maximum temperature at or above 40 degree Celsius.

The mercury level in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack was 41.4 degree Celsius and 42.6 degree Celsius respectively.

The Meteorological Centre forecast that heat wave conditions will prevail in Odisha till April 21.

Meanwhile, the state today reported the season’s first sunstroke death.

A sixty-two-year-old man, identified as Laxmikanta Sahu of Maheshpur in Balasore district, died due to sunstroke on April 15. This was the first sunstroke death this summer, an official at the Special Relief Commissioner’s office said.