Heat wave: Odisha to get relief from April 22, predicts IMD scientist  

At a time when Odisha continues to reel under a severe heat wave, IMD senior scientist, R K Jenamani, in an exclusive interview with OTV on Thursday, said that the State will get relief from heat from April 22. 

When asked about 90 percent areas of India coming under the danger zone of heat wave, Jenamani said, "India being a tropical country, heat wave normally occurs every year. Last year, it started in March itself and covered many areas. So it is not a new thing." 

“Different factors are responsible for heat wave. Besides the absence of sea breeze, there are local features, hilly terrains, hard surface, less soil moisture, and less vegetation that are responsible for heat wave,” said Jenamani. 

"The states along the east coast are the worst-hit states. Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Odisha are experiencing heat wave conditions since April 16. West Bengal, which has been under red colour for eight to nine days, and eastern Uttar Pradesh are the worst hit as well. At the same time, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh are occasionally reporting heat wave conditions," he added.

Commenting on the situation in Odisha, he further said, “March was good because there were spells of rainfall. In April, the rainfall activity stopped in the second week. In Odisha, the heatwave conditions are being felt since April 16.” 

“Odisha people will get relief from April 22 as Nor'wester rain is expected. The dry wind presently flowing will be cut-off as cloud formation will start on April 22 and 23. Nor’wester rain will bring relief. No heat wave conditions are expected from April 22 to 25.”