Bhubaneswar: The current heat wave situation in Odisha could continue for a span ranging from a week to ten days, as indicated by the Center for Environment and Climate (CEC) of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) on Thursday. This condition is being influenced by the prevailing climate patterns in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
According to Dr. Sarat Chandra Sahu, Director of CEC, the maximum daytime temperatures in northern Odisha are fluctuating between 43 to 45 degrees Celsius, while in the southern districts, they range between 41 and 43 degrees Celsius.
Dr. Sahu explained that successive meteorological systems are forming over Pakistan and Afghanistan, resulting in substantial rainfall there. These systems either remain stationary or move slightly towards the northwestern regions of India, consequently affecting the weather conditions in the country.
The absence of significant rain-bearing systems over central India and the eastern states has led to the influx of dry northwesterly hot winds from the central plains into eastern India, particularly Odisha. This phenomenon elucidates the prolonged heat wave in the region, as highlighted by Dr. Sahu.
The current system persisting over Pakistan and its vicinity is anticipated to gradually shift towards eastern India. This movement may bring rain and thundershowers to coastal and nearby districts on May 1, resulting in a temperature drop of 3 to 4 degrees Celsius. However, Dr. Sahu cautioned that the heat might intensify again from May 4 onwards.
Pakistan has been experiencing adverse weather conditions with heavy rainfall for the past 15 to 20 days, particularly in areas known for extreme summer heat. Notably, Jacobabad in Pakistan recorded a daytime temperature of 52.8 degrees Celsius. These prevailing weather patterns in the neighboring country are impacting the flow of sea breeze from the Bay of Bengal into Odisha, despite the persistence of an anti-cyclone, according to Dr. Sahu.
