Bhubaneswar, May 23: Scorching heat and unbearable humidity continued to disrupt normal life across Odisha on Saturday, with both western and coastal districts reeling under intense summer conditions. The regional centre of the India Meteorological Department in Bhubaneswar said the prevailing heatwave situation is likely to continue for at least five more days, till May 27.

According to the weather department, Jharsuguda recorded the highest temperature in the state at 45.2 degrees Celsius during the last 24 hours. At least 12 stations recorded temperatures above 41 degrees Celsius.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange warning for heatwave conditions in Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Balangir districts for the next 24 hours. Yellow warnings for heatwave conditions have also been issued for Khordha, Kalahandi, Nuapada and Boudh districts.

In addition, Balangir and Sambalpur districts are likely to witness warm night conditions, for which a yellow warning has been issued.

The IMD has also warned of hot and humid weather conditions in 12 districts across coastal and western Odisha.

Even as the state continues to battle severe heat during the daytime, the weather department has forecast Kalbaisakhi activity in several parts of Odisha. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, rain and gusty winds are likely in as many as 25 districts over the next 24 hours.

An orange alert has been issued for Kalahandi, Boudh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts, where thunderstorms with wind speeds of 50 to 60 kmph are likely.

Similarly, a yellow warning has been issued for 19 districts for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds of 30 to 40 kmph.

For Saturday, the weather department has again issued orange warnings for heatwave conditions in Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Balangir districts, while Boudh district remains under yellow warning.

Also Read: Why Rising Night-Time Heat May Be More Dangerous Than Daytime Scorching Sun In Odisha?

As many as 13 districts have also been placed under yellow warning for hot and humid conditions. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30 to 50 kmph are likely in 13 coastal and interior districts such as Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagarh, the IMD said.

The weather agency further warned that Kalbaisakhi activity may continue over the coming days, even as severe summer conditions persist across the state.