Sweltering heat wave sweeps Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The State continues to reel under severe heat wave with 15 places recording temperature above 40 degrees Celsius today. Capital city Bhubaneswar and Baripada were the hottest with each recording 42.2 degree Celsius, as per the data provided by the Regional Meteorological Centre.

Other places which recorded temperature above 40 degrees Celsius were Talcher 42, Angul 41.9, Chandbali 41.7, Titilagarh 41.5, Balasore 41.2, Bolangir 40.8, Cuttack 40.6, Dhenkanal 40.5, Sonepur 40.2, Paradip 40.1 and Jharsuguda 40.1.

“The heat is so unbearable that it is difficult to get out during day time,” said Pabitra, a Bhubaneswar resident.

On the other hand, anxiety is rising among farmers who have sowed seeds expecting monsoon rain.

“We are worried a lot because of the sudden rise in summer heat which has thrown our cultivation plans into doldrums,” said Brindaban, a farmer from Bhawanipatna.

Frequent power cuts and low voltage are also adding to the misery of the people.

“Due to frequent power cuts we are suffering a lot,” said Sushant, a Soro resident.

Meanwhile, severe heat wave alert has been issued in coastal and interior parts of the State in the next 48 hours, said HR Biswas, director of the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre.

The met department further stated low pressure over the Bay of Bengal towards the end of the month could likely bring some relief.