Bhubaneswar sizzles, records season’s highest temperature 

As Odisha continues to reel under severe heat wave conditions, capital city Bhubaneswar on Saturday recorded this season’s highest temperature of 44.6 degrees Celsius by 2.30 pm. 

Throwing normal life out of gear, Bhubaneswar virtually turned into a hot cauldron. While people chose to remain indoors during the peak hours, particularly pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists ventured out due to some important work were seen taking measures to save themselves from the scorching heat. 

After Bhubaneswar, four more cities witnessed temperatures above 42 degrees Celsius. 

While the second hottest city was Jharsuguda with 43.6 degrees Celsius, it was followed by Rourkela 42.5 degrees Celsius, Chandbali 42.4 degrees Celsius and Sambalpur 42.1 degrees Celsius. Other cities that recorded over 41 degrees Celsius were Hirakud (41.8), Balasore (41.7) and Keonjhar (41.5). 

Meanwhile, the weather department has issued a red alert for Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. 

According to the IMD, the heat wave is likely to continue for the next four days. During these days, some districts in north Odisha and western interior Odisha may cross the 45 degrees Celsius mark, prompting the IMD to issue a red warning for some districts till May 2.

Keeping this in view, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Khurda, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Bolangir and Nuapada have been issued red warning ( valid from 0830 hrs IST of 28.04.2024 to 0830 hrs IST of 29.04.2024). Deogarh, Sonepur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Rayagada, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Malkangiri, Ganjam, Gajapati, Nabarangpur and Bargarh have been issued orange warning and Koraput and Puri have been issued yellow warning for the same period.

Also Read | Red Alert Issued for Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Twin City as Temperature Soars

The IMD also forecast that there is no possibility of big showers till May 9.