Odisha Capital Sizzles as Heatwave Grips State, Mercury Soars
Feature: Amidst a heatwave warning issued by the weather agency, the Odisha capital witnessed scorching temperatures on Friday, with the mercury soaring to 39.8°C by 11:30 am. Keonjhar closely followed at 39.2°C, trailed by Balasore and Jharsuguda at 38°C each, Rourkela at 37.8°C, Chandbali and Sambalpur at 37.4°C each, and Hirakud at 36.6°C, as reported by the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre.
The weather agency has extended heatwave and warm night warnings for several districts of the state until April 6. Predictions indicate a gradual rise in maximum temperatures by 2-3°C over the next two days due to prevailing northwesterly/westerly dry air and high solar insolation, followed by a decrease of 2-4°C in many areas over the subsequent two days. Day temperatures are expected to soar to 40°C in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, reaching a scorching 43°C in Malkangiri, Boudh, Balangir, Titlagarh, Angul, and Jharsuguda.
Residents have been advised to take precautionary measures when outdoors between 11 am and 3 pm, as the heatwave continues to grip the region. However, relief may be on the horizon, with predictions of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph, which could lead to a slight decrease in temperatures thereafter. Additionally, there is a forecast for light to moderate rain across the state over the next four days.
Thursday saw temperatures soaring even higher, with seven places recording temperatures of 41°C or more. Malkangiri and Boudh topped the charts at 42°C, followed closely by Angul and Balangir at 41.7°C, Jharsuguda at 41.6°C, and Bhawanipatna at 41°C. Meanwhile, the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded temperatures of 37.4°C and 38°C respectively. As the heatwave persists, residents are urged to stay hydrated and take necessary precautions to beat the heat.
