Bhubaneswar: After enduring an intense heatwave over the past 10 days, residents of Bhubaneswar woke up to significant relief on May 28 as the heat index plummeted to a season-low of 27°C at 5:30 AM — a dramatic 17°C drop from the peak recorded earlier this month.
According to data compiled for the period May 19–28 by the India Meteorological Department, the heat index in the state capital remained dangerously high for most days, frequently hovering between 40°C and 44°C. The highest heat index was recorded on May 22 at 44°C, making it the most oppressive morning of the period.
10-Day Heat Index Snapshot (5:30 AM)
Date Heat Index
28 May 27°C (Lowest)
27 May 42°C
26 May 42°C
25 May 40°C
24 May 39°C
23 May 42°C
22 May 44°C (Highest)
21 May 39°C
20 May 40°C
19 May 40°C
The sharp decline on May 28 has been attributed to the impact of Kalabaisakhi which brought cooler winds, cloud cover, and possibly rainfall, breaking the intense heat spell.
The drop of nearly 17°C in heat index from the highest day represents a major relief for a city that had been reeling under extreme humid heat for over a week.
Meanwhile, meteorologists suggest this change could mark the beginning of a transitional period toward the monsoon, though citizens are advised to remain cautious as temperatures may fluctuate in the coming days.
