Bhubaneswar: Odisha is currently enduring extreme heatwave conditions, as temperatures in the industrial town of Jharsuguda climbed to 46 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, according to weather officials. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has released a heatwave warning for multiple districts for the upcoming four days.
A total of 21 locations, including Jharsuguda, recorded daytime temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius or higher, with seven places exceeding 43 degrees Celsius, as reported by the IMD’s Bhubaneswar center in its evening bulletin. Sambalpur town in western Odisha was the second hottest area in the state at 45.3 degrees Celsius, while nearby Hirakud reached 45 degrees Celsius.
Sonepur recorded a temperature of 43.9 degrees Celsius, and both Bargarh and the coal town of Talcher saw temperatures of 43.8 degrees Celsius. Bolangir registered 43.3 degrees Celsius, while Sundargarh and Bhawanipatna had maximum temperatures of 42.8 degrees Celsius. Angul recorded 42.1 degrees Celsius, and Nayagarh reached 42 degrees Celsius. Other locations that recorded daytime temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius include Baripada, Keonjhar, Malkangiri, Nayagarh, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Nuapada, Khurda, Kendrapara, and Rourkela. The weather office has issued a heatwave warning for several districts until May 24.
For Thursday, an ‘orange warning’ (be prepared to take action) has been issued for Sambalpur and Bolangir districts, while a ‘yellow warning’ (be aware) has been placed for Bhadrak, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Angul, Sonepur, Boudh, Nayagarh, Balasore, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Bargarh, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, and Khurda districts.
Similar hot weather conditions are expected to persist in the state for another three days until May 24. The IMD has issued an advisory highlighting that heat poses health risks for vulnerable populations, including infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with health issues. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are anticipated in several districts across Odisha during the afternoon or evening hours of Thursday.
