Humidity Pushes Bhubaneswar’s ‘Feels Like’ Temperature To 42°C At 5:30 AM

Bhubaneswar: Residents of Bhubaneswar woke up to oppressive weather conditions on Tuesday morning as high humidity levels made the temperature feel far hotter than the actual reading.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city recorded a temperature of 30.6 degrees Celsius at 5:30 am, while relative humidity stood at 87 per cent. The combination of heat and moisture pushed the “feels like” temperature, also known as the Heat Index, to a scorching 42 degrees Celsius.

The unusually high heat index early in the morning left the weather extremely sticky and uncomfortable, giving residents a sensation similar to peak afternoon summer heat even before sunrise.

Weather officials said such humid and sultry conditions can lead to significant discomfort, particularly for elderly people, children, and individuals suffering from respiratory ailments.

The IMD has advised people to remain hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during peak daytime hours, and take necessary precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Similar weather conditions are likely to persist across several parts of Odisha over the coming days, the department added.