Intense summer heat grips Odisha as 11 cities surpass 40°C, with Boudh boiling at 42.9°C. IMD issues a yellow warning with a five-day thunderstorm forecast
OdishaPlus Bureau
Odisha is currently enduring severe summer heat, with 11 cities across the state reporting temperatures surpassing the 40-degree Celsius threshold on Sunday, raising alarm over the persistent heatwave conditions.
The soaring daytime temperatures have disrupted normal life in various districts, with the western and interior regions of the state being the most severely impacted.
As per the reports from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Boudh has emerged as the hottest location in Odisha, registering a blistering 42.9 degrees Celsius. The extreme heat has rendered the district one of the most affected areas, as residents struggle to manage the oppressive weather.
Following closely, Angul and Sonapur also recorded extreme temperatures, each reaching 42.1 degrees Celsius. Jharsuguda noted a temperature of 41.4 degrees Celsius, while both Talcher and Sambalpur recorded 41 degrees Celsius.
Numerous other locations also experienced temperatures exceeding the 40-degree mark. Hirakud noted 40.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Nayagarh at 40.4 degrees Celsius and Bolangir at 40.2 degrees Celsius. Khordha and Titlagarh also made the list of heat-affected areas, with temperatures hitting 40 degrees Celsius.
In contrast, the twin cities experienced relatively lower temperatures, although humidity and heat continued to create discomfort. Bhubaneswar recorded 37.4 degrees Celsius, while Cuttack noted 37.6 degrees Celsius.
The ongoing heatwave has profoundly affected daily life, with individuals refraining from outdoor activities during the peak afternoon hours. Streets and public areas in several towns appeared less populated as residents opted to remain indoors to avoid the intense sun.
In the meantime, the IMD has released a five-day weather forecast for Odisha, predicting a period of light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms in various regions of the state from May 17 to May 21. In addition to the overall forecast, the weather bureau has also issued a Yellow Warning for several districts, alerting residents to the possibility of thunderstorms with lightning and strong surface winds that may reach speeds of 40-50 km/h, particularly during the afternoon and evening hours.