Heatwave Grips Odisha; Mercury Crosses 40°C in 18 Cities

Bhubaneswar: Odisha continued to reel under an intense heatwave on Thursday, with conditions so severe that residents described it as “fire raining from the sky.”

The combination of scorching temperatures and high humidity has made the weather unbearable across the state.

Jharsuguda once again recorded the highest temperature in the country yesterday, while the mercury crossed the 40-degree Celsius mark in 18 cities of Odisha.

From western and northern districts to the coastal and southern regions, the heat has been relentless, with the sun scorching from as early as 8 a.m.

Due to the blistering heat, streets in most towns and cities wore a deserted look by 11 a.m. People venturing out were seen carrying umbrellas or wearing caps to shield themselves from the sun.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, there will be no respite from the heatwave for the next two days, with no significant change in temperature expected until Sunday. However, a drop of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius is likely in several districts after two days.

The Met Centre has also issued a yellow alert for lightning and thunderstorms in various districts.

With temperatures touching 40°C in most parts of the state, the Chief Minister has announced school summer holidays from April 27.