Why is Odisha facing heat waves in March? NASA data may hold answers

Odisha is reeling under unprecedented heatwaves in March, with cities like Sambalpur and Boudh recording 42 degrees Celsius, temperatures typical of peak summer months. The crisis, marked by spiking heat-related illnesses and crop damage, reflects a dangerous mix of local environmental shifts and global climate trends.

Amid these, NASA’s satellite data and climate models reveal how interconnected forces are turning Odisha into a hotspot.

‘Heat Dome’ Effect: The Role of Anticyclones and Winds:

A continuous high-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is acting like a lid, trapping hot, dry air over Odisha. NASA’s GEOS atmospheric models show this ‘heat dome’ effect blocks cooling sea breezes and suppresses rain clouds. Compounding the problem, arid winds from Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are sweeping into the state, further heating the land.

Meanwhile, weakened pre-monsoon currents and an 80% March rainfall deficit have left soils parched, reducing evaporative cooling.

ALSO READ: IMD issues Red Warning for heat wave conditions in these Odisha districts today

Local Triggers: Urbanization and Deforestation

NASA’s thermal imagery highlights how cities like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack suffer amplified heat due to concrete landscapes and shrinking green cover. Urban heat islands, where temperatures soar 4 to 8 degrees Celsius above rural areas, are worsened by deforestation. 

Additionally, satellite data from NASA’s Global Forest Watch shows Odisha’s reduced tree cover has stripped natural cooling mechanisms while drying water bodies and reducing regional humidity.

Climate Change: The Global Driver

Odisha’s plight aligns with global patterns, as NASA confirmed 2024 as Earth’s hottest year, with March temperatures hitting record highs. Rising greenhouse gases have warmed oceans, accelerating thermal expansion, a key factor in 2024’s faster sea-level rise.

Ocean heat, combined with the 2024–25 El Nino event, redirected Pacific moisture away from India, intensifying Odisha’s aridity. Alarmingly, climate models warn such events will grow fiercer and more frequent.

ALSO READ: IMD predicts rainfall in Odisha districts from next week

NASA’s Satellite Insights:

Tools like MODIS and AIRS track land surface temperatures in real-time, pinpointing hotspots. In 2025, these sensors detected Odisha’s LSTs exceeding 42 degrees Celsius, while SMAP data revealed critically low soil moisture.

Another crucial factor is the role of aerosols and pollution in intensifying the heat. NASA’s Earth observation data reveal increased levels of atmospheric aerosols, which trap heat and contribute to warming. Pollution from urban centres and agricultural activities, including stubble burning, exacerbates the problem by reducing air quality and increasing localized heating.

What can be done?

Given the increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves, Odisha needs adaptive strategies to mitigate their impact. Some key measures include:

1. Early Warning Systems: Using real-time satellite data from NASA and ISRO to provide heatwave alerts.

2. Urban Planning Improvements: Expanding green spaces, creating water bodies, and using heat-resistant building materials to combat the urban heat island effect.

3. Reforestation and Water Conservation: Protecting and restoring forests and traditional water reservoirs to enhance natural cooling.

4. Public Health Measures: Implementing heat action plans, ensuring water availability, and providing shelters for vulnerable populations.

5. Global Climate Action: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate long-term climate change effects.

The early onset of heat waves in Odisha is a stark reminder of the growing influence of climate change and environmental degradation.

Odisha must take proactive steps to adapt to these challenges and protect its people from extreme heat as the agency’s long-term data shows India’s heat waves are now longer, earlier, and more severe.