Gruelling heat continues unabated in many parts of Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Gruelling heat persisted in most parts of Odisha today with Angul recording 44.1 degrees Celsius to remain the hottest place in the state, where sunstroke has claimed 16 lives so far this summer.

The mercury breached the 40 degrees Celsius mark in at least 10 places, as temperature had started climbing again yesterday after some respite for three days following rains and a nor'wester in some areas.

Closely following Angul was Titlagarh in western Odisha which recorded a maximum temperature of 42.5 degrees Celsius, the MeT office here said.

Bhawanipatna recorded a maximum temperature of 42 degrees Celsius, while the mercury stood at 41.8 degree Celsius in Talcher, 41.6 deg C at Malkangiri, 41 degree Celsius in both Chandbali and Balangir and 40.8 degree celsius at Sambalpur, it said.

Bhubaneswar recorded a maximum temperature of 41.9 degrees Celsius, marginally lower than 42.7 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday, while in Cuttack city the mercury stood at 40.2 degree celsius, the MeT office said.

At least 16 heat-related deaths have been reported in the state so far this summer - four each from Sambalpur and Angul, three each in Bargarh and Sundargarh districts and one each in Balangir and Bhadrak, said the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).