Bhubaneswar: The temperature reached 40°C and above at six locations in western Odisha within the last 24 hours, as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday.
Titlagarh recorded the highest temperature at 41.5°C, followed by Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi and Balangir, both at 41°C. Other temperatures included Jharsuguda at 40.7°C, Hirakud at 40.1°C, and Sambalpur at 40°C.
With a heatwave expected to return to the state from April 15, the weather agency has predicted a rise in daytime temperatures by 2-4°C over the next four days. Additionally, hot and humid conditions may persist in isolated areas of coastal districts such as Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati.
The weather conditions in coastal regions are attributed to high moisture levels, while clearer skies in western districts are likely to contribute to heatwave conditions, alongside a decrease in Nor’wester rains.
Heatwave warnings are issued as follows:
- April 15: Balangir, Kandhamal, Jharsuguda, and Sambalpur.
- April 16: Balangir, Kandhamal, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Boudh, Angul, and Sambalpur.
- April 17: Balangir, Kandhamal, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Boudh, Angul, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, and Sambalpur.
- April 18: Balangir, Kandhamal, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Boudh, Angul, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, and Sambalpur.
- April 19: Balangir, Kandhamal, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Boudh, Sambalpur, Angul, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Sundargarh, Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj, Deogarh, and Keonjhar.
The national forecaster has indicated that no significant changes in weather conditions are expected thereafter.
According to IMD’s extended range forecast, daytime temperatures in Odisha are likely to range from 36-40°C in coastal districts and nearby areas, and 40-44°C in most parts of interior Odisha between April 17-23. “Maximum temperature departure is likely to be above normal over most parts of Odisha and above normal to appreciably above normal over western parts of north interior Odisha,” the report stated.
In its seasonal outlook for April to June, the national forecast anticipates above-normal heatwave days throughout Odisha, which typically sees around 11 heatwave days during this period.
The special relief commissioner’s (SRC) office has instructed all collectors to advise citizens to take precautionary measures when going outside between 11 am and 3:30 pm until the hot weather conditions subside.
