Odisha faces extreme UV levels amid heatwave
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a significant rise in temperatures by at least 2 to 4 degrees Celsius starting Thursday. The surge is expected to impact several districts, including Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Boudh, and Bolangir, where heatwave conditions are likely to prevail.
The IMD predictions also added that unfavourable discomfort is likely for citizens as humidity levels are set to rise. According to AccuWeather, feel-like temperatures are expected to be 4 to 6 degrees higher than prevailing temperatures owing to the effect of humid air.
Earlier this month, Nor’wester storms, locally known as Kalbaisakhi, provided temporary relief from the scorching summer heat.
However, IMD officials have indicated a decline in such activity, with thunderstorms and gusty winds expected to taper off after May 7. This decrease in Nor’wester patterns suggests that the state may not receive the seasonal cooling reprieve it typically enjoys.
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While interior districts brace for soaring temperatures, Odisha’s coastal belt—including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati is forecast to endure extreme humidity.
The combination of heat and moisture will likely exacerbate discomfort, especially in urban and densely populated areas.
The extended forecast shows little change, with oppressive heat and high humidity expected to persist. Authorities recommend staying updated with daily bulletins and avoiding unnecessary outdoor exposure. Until the monsoon sets in, Odisha appears set to weather one of its most intense early summer spells in recent years.