Heatwave condition intensifies in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The heatwave condition intensified in most parts of Odisha with Balangir becoming the hottest place recording a temperature of 44.5 degree Celsius.

Balangir in western Odisha had recored 43 degree C yesterday.

The mercury breached the 40-degree mark in at least 10 places in the state as Titlagarh and Sonepur recorded a maximum temperature of 43.9 degree C and 43 degree C respectively, the Met office here said.

Sonepur was followed by Jhaarsuguda (42.7) Hirakud town (42.1) and Sambalpur (42).

The mercury reached 41.7 degree C at Angul town, 41.2 degree C at Bhawanipatna, 40.8 degree C at Talcher and 40.6 degree C at Phulbani, it said.

However, some areas of the coastal belt got some respite because of a thunder squall and rain. Because of this, Bhubaneswar recorded a maximum temperature of 35.6 degree C while in neighbouring Cuttack, city the mercury stood at 35.5 degree C.

Two sunstroke deaths have so far been reported in the state, one each from Bargarh and Angul district, according to the office of the Special Relief Commissioner.