Bhubaneswar, Mar 15: A scorching heat wave gripped western Odisha, with the mercury crossing 40 degrees Celsius at some places by 2 pm today.

According to the information, Jharsuguda recorded the day's highest temperature at 42 degrees Celsius, while Jharsuguda and Rourkela recorded 41.8 and 40.4 degrees Celsius, respectively. Hirakud recorded a temperature of 39.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Bhubaneswar at 38.4 degrees Celsius and Chandbali at 37.6 degrees Celsius.

According to the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, the temperature will not change in the next four days. Mercury will fall by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius after four days.

A Red warning of heat wave has been issued to Jharsuguda, Sambalpur and Kalahandi and orange alert issued to Angul, Sundargah, Sonepur and Boudh districts for for tomorrow.