State reels under sweltering heat

Bhubaneswar: Sweltering heat sweeping across the state disrupted normal life in many areas as coal town of Talcher became the hottest place in the state recording 45.3 degree Celsius on Wednesday.

Talcher was followed by Sambalpur and Hirakud with 44.4 degree Celsius, according to the meteorological centre here.

In the state capital, the maximum temperature rose to 42.6 degree Celsius as against 40.6 degree recorded yesterday, with most people refraining from venturing out during the day.

The entire western region continued to boil under scorching heat with 44.2 degree Celsius at Jharsuguda, 44.C at Sonepur, 43.8 dc at Bolangir, 43.5 dc at Sundargarh and Angul and 42.5 degree at Bhawanipatna, the met office said

Coastal areas also experienced searing heat as maximum temperature was recorded at 42.4 degree Celsius in Cuttack and 42.3 degree at Chandbali.

Special arrangements were made in hospitals across the state to deal with sun-stroke cases.