Nor'wester rains to lash Odisha today

Bhubaneswar: People of Odisha may get some respite from scorching heat as Nor’wester (locally known as Kalabaisakhi) rain is likely to lash several parts of the State on Thursday.

As per the forecast of the regional office of India Meteorological Department (IMD), Kalabaisakhi rain is expected in northern and coastal districts in the afternoon which might bring down temperatures till March 20.

“There are chances of Nor’wester showers in coastal and northern parts of the state. Wind speed is likely to be 50-60 km/hr during the rains and there is also possibility of hailstorm,” informed IMD’s Regional Center Director, Sarat Chandra Sahu.

Meanwhile, mercury crossed 40 degree Celsius mark for the first time this year on Wednesday.

Titlagarh recorded the highest 40.5 degree Celsius and was the hottest place in the State while Sambalpur and Talcher recorded 40.3 and 39.9 degree Celsius respectively yesterday. Bhubaneswar and Cuttack also recorded a maximum temperature of 39.4 and 37.8 degree Celsius respectively.