The people of Odisha have started to feel the heat as mercury soared in many places of the State, especially in Western Odisha. And there will be no respite from the heat soon as the India Meteorological Department has predicted a rise in temperature in the next few days.
As per the IMD, a cloud-less sky coupled with dry air is aiding the temperature rise over Odisha skies.
The Western Odisha town of Bolangir recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
“The heat is so much here that we cannot go outside after 9am. The government is saying 40 degrees but the temperature is actually 45 degrees,” said a local, awaiting bus at the Bolangir bus stand.
The locals alleged that despite a soaring heat, the government does not seem to be bothered about their plight.
Another local said, “We are keeping ourselves cool by eating watermelons. The temperature is so high in Bolangir, but the administration is yet to open any ‘Jala Chatra’ in the town.”
It is pertinent to mention here that the Bolangir district administration had held a meeting to review preparedness for heat strokes and related ailments.
However, locals alleged that the ground reality is different.
Besides, there was a forecast of a gradual rise in the temperature from March 12, 2024. As per the forecast, the maximum temperature was likely to register a gradual rise by 4 to 6 degrees Celsius in different parts of the state.