Bhubaneswar: Normal life came to a standstill in the Odisha capital on Sunday as mercury soared to 44.1 degree Celsius, the highest temperature the city has recorded in the month of April since 2010.
Reports said temperature rose sharply in the city from 9 AM onwards and went up to 41.6 degrees by 12.30 PM, 43 degrees by 1 PM and 44.1 degrees by 1.30 PM.
As per the weather statistics, the capital city had recorded the highest temperature at 43.6 degrees on April 9, 2010.
Talking to OTV, Dr Sarat Chandra Sahu, Director, Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, said going by the 30-year temperature data, temperature in Odisha this year has gone up by 4-6 degree Celsius.
“Generally the amount of rainfall and the soil condition determine the rise and fall in temperature. If the soil is covered with grass, evaporation occurs as the heat takes away the moisture from the grassy soil. As a result, the atmosphere becomes cool. But as there is no substantial rainfall in Odisha since October last year, the soil has become dry. The same condition prevails in the Central India. As per the model data we have received, the heat wave condition would prevail in the state till next week,” Sahu said.
He further said as per the balloon data received by the Centre at 5.30 AM today, humidity level in the upper air is less than 50 percent which is not favourable for adequate rainfall.
“Though there is upper air movement due to rise in temperature, there are reports of scanty rainfall in the state. For example, some parts of Balasore districts had recorded only 7mm rainfall yesterday though the temperature had gone up to 38.8 degrees. Due to scanty rainfall, the soil is not able to absorb enough water to bring down the temperature,” Sahu pointed out.