Odisha sizzles with mercury near 40 degrees Celsius

March is still here, yet Odisha is reeling under intense heat as the mercury is on an upward trend inching closer to 40 degrees Celsius at some places on Thursday.

The day temperatures crossed 39 degrees Celsius in five places in the state, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhubaneswar.

As per reports, most parts of the state starting from the coastal pockets to the western region witnessed gruelling temperatures. Bhubaneswar recorded 37 degrees Celsius on Thursday while Boudh town became the hottest town in the state today with temperature touching 39.5 degrees C.

Places like Bhawanipatna, Titlagarh and Nayagarh recorded 39 degrees C, the IMD said. Such heat wave is expected to continue in the coming days. 

Director of IMD-Bhubaneswar, Manorama Mohanty said, “The state is likely to experience light to moderate rainfall along with lightning at isolated places in the next four to five days. However, in the next two days, the day temperatures at some places are likely to increase by two to three degrees and no major changes are expected thereafter.”