Absence of sea breeze causing rise in Odisha temperature: CEC

Joshna Sethi April 15, 2023

78 1 minute read

Bhubaneswar, April 15: The existing meteorological factors in Odisha have contributed to a sharp rise in day temperature with several places in the state recording above 40 degree Celsius, the Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC) said on Saturday.
The higher temperature leading to heat wave conditions has been caused mainly because of the absence of sea breeze during the day and night, CEC Director Dr. S.C. Sahu said.

Besides, radiational cooling of the earth’s surface during night was not prominent because the atmospheric temperature at 250-350 metres height was found to be 5 to 6 degrees Celisus or in some cases even more than the surface temperature, Dr. Sahu said.
Mixing of air above the surface was not possible, which caused a recording of more than 31 degrees Celsius temperature at 8.30 AM, he said.

The heat wave conditions prevailed over coastal and interior Odisha and day to day variation in temperature would be felt depending on the wind speed coming in from the plains of north western India, Dr. Sahu said.
There was no possibility of kalbaisakhi or norwester as the humidity percentage was very low, he said adding clear sky conditions and position of the sun during summer also favoured rise in day temperature.
Dr. Sahu said though upper level moisture flow through Odisha was evident it was very less and was getting evaporated causing dissipation of clouds even if they formed in the afternoon.

This condition is likely to prevail till April 21 with some places recording close to 45 degrees Celsius between April 18 and 20, he said.
There was a probability of decrease in temperature from April 22 with the coastal districts recording less than 40 degrees Celsius. The interior districts, however, would experience 41 to 43 degree Celsius temperature during the same time, he said.
The frequency and intensity of kalbaisakhi would gradually increase from April 22 due to favourable moisture flow from the Bay of Bengal towards the Indian landmass, Dr. Sahu said.