Bhubaneswar: An intense heatwave has engulfed several parts of Western Odisha today, with Jharsuguda recording the highest temperature in the state at a sweltering 45.4 degrees Celsius.
According to the local office of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), as many as 14 locations across the state breached the 40-degree Celsius mark today, with the majority of these being concentrated in the western region.
Following closely behind Jharsuguda, Boudh recorded a maximum day temperature of 43.2 degrees Celsius. Sambalpur, Sundargarh, and Titlagarh each registered 43 degrees Celsius. Other significantly hot areas included Bhawanipatna (42.5°C), Hirakud (42.4°C), Bolangir (42.3°C), Sonepur (42.1°C), and Bargarh and Rourkela, both recording 42 degrees Celsius. Nuapada also experienced high temperatures at 41.5 degrees Celsius, while Paralakhemundi recorded 40 degrees Celsius, being the only location outside the western belt among the hottest places.
The IMD has issued a concerning forecast, predicting a further rise in the maximum temperature by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius across the districts over the next three days. No significant relief is expected thereafter. Tomorrow, the mercury is likely to soar above 42 degrees Celsius in Angul, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Bolangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Bargarh, Kalahandi, and Nuapada districts.
In light of the escalating temperatures, the IMD has issued a heatwave warning for Jharsuguda, Bolangir, Sundargarh, and Sambalpur for tomorrow, April 22nd. The heatwave conditions are expected to expand further, affecting a wider range of districts on April 23rd. These districts include Boudh, Nuapada, Sonepur, Bolangir, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati.
The meteorological department has indicated that similar hot weather conditions are likely to persist in many parts of the state for the next two days, urging residents to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the intense heat. People are advised to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, stay hydrated, and take other measures to mitigate the effects of the heatwave.