Heatwave to Persist Across Odisha for Next Five Days, Thunderstorms Likely in Several Districts

Bhubaneswar: Several districts of Odisha are expected to continue experiencing heatwave and hot, humid conditions over the next five days, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) here said.

According to the forecast, heatwave conditions are very likely at isolated places in Jharsuguda, Balangir, Kalahandi, Boudh, Nayagarh and Subarnapur districts. Warm night conditions are also expected in parts of Jharsuguda, Balangir, Kalahandi, Boudh, Nayagarh, Sundergarh, Sambalpur and Subarnapur.

Hot and humid weather is likely to prevail at isolated locations in coastal and adjoining districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati.

The Meteorological Centre has also predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph during afternoon or evening hours at one or two places in districts such as Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundergarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Kandhamal.

From May 2 onwards, thunderstorm activity is likely to intensify, with lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph at isolated places in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Deogarh, Kalahandi, Balangir, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Angul and Dhenkanal districts.

Meanwhile, Jharsuguda recorded the highest temperature in the state at a scorching 44.7°C, followed by Bargarh at 43.9°C.

At least 14 places across Odisha recorded temperatures of 40°C or above. Boudh registered 43.5°C, Sambalpur 43.2°C, Balangir 43.3°C, while Hirakud, Rourkela, Sundargarh and Titlagarh recorded 43°C each. Talcher recorded 42.6°C, Angul 42.3°C, Bhawanipatna 42.2°C and Nayagarh 41.2°C, indicating the widespread intensity of the ongoing heatwave.