Odisha Braces for Extended Heatwave, Relief Unlikely for Next Few Days

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is bracing for a prolonged heatwave, with temperatures expected to remain high over the next three days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). However, some respite may come in the form of thunderstorms in certain areas.

The Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has warned that maximum temperatures are unlikely to change significantly in the coming 72 hours, though a drop of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius is possible thereafter in many parts of the state.

Hot and humid conditions are predicted for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts over the next 24 hours.

Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph may occur in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri by Friday.

An orange warning for severe heatwave conditions has been issued for Balangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, and Kandhamal districts by Friday. Additionally, a yellow warning for heatwave conditions has been issued for Bargarh, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Malkangiri, Keonjhar, Khurda, Gajapati, and Ganjam during the same period.

Warm night conditions are expected to prevail in Kalahandi, Balangir, Kandhamal, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, and Keonjhar districts.

The IMD has also sounded a yellow alert for heatwave conditions in Nuapada, Balangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Sambalpur, Bargarh, and Sundargarh districts on Friday.

On Thursday, Jharsuguda recorded the season’s highest temperature at 47 degrees Celsius, with Sambalpur at 45.6 degrees Celsius, Hirakud at 44.5 degrees Celsius, Rourkela at 43.8 degrees Celsius, and Keonjhar at 41.4 degrees Celsius.