Heat wave sweeps through Odisha, Bhubaneswar scorching under 43.2°C

Bhubaneswar: Odisha currently finds itself entangled in the grip of an intense heat wave, with the capital city of Bhubaneswar scorching under a blistering temperature of 43.2 degrees Celsius. The regional meteorological center reported this peak temperature was reached by 2:30 PM.

Not confined to the capital alone, four other towns also bore the brunt of exceptionally high temperatures. Sambalpur recorded 40.8°C, while both Hirakud and Chandabali peaked at 40.6°C. Jharsuguda registered 40.2°C, Rourkela at 39.6°C, followed by Keonjhar at 39°C, Balasore at 37.8°C, and Puri at 33°C.

In response to the alarming conditions, the Meteorological Centre issued a heat wave warning for 14 districts of Odisha. It articulated, “Heat wave conditions are very likely to prevail at one or two places over the districts of Khurda, Cuttack, Keonjhar, Boudh, Malkangiri, Nayagarh, Angul, Bolangir, Kandhamal, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, and Jharsuguda.”

Elaborating on the meteorological phenomenon, the center elucidated, “Due to prevailing northwesterly/westerly dry air and high solar insolation, maximum temperatures (day temperatures) are likely to exceed 40°C at many places across the districts of Odisha. Temperatures are expected to be above normal by 3 to 5°C in some districts of Odisha until April 6.”

However, there seems to be a glimmer of relief from the scorching heat wave on the horizon. The meteorological center forecasts thunderstorms in several parts of the state on April 7 and 8, offering respite from the soaring temperatures.