Bhubaneswar: Heavy Kalabaisakhi rain on Saturday brought major relief from the heatwave, causing a sharp drop in temperature, heat index, and visibility across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
Weather scientist Umashankar Dash said Bhubaneswar recorded 40.5°C before the rain. The temperature plunged 17.6°C to settle at 22.9°C after the thunderstorm.
The heat index also fell dramatically from 50°C to 24°C. Visibility dropped from 5000 metres to just 800 metres due to the intense downpour.
The Kalabaisakhi struck heavily in the afternoon, uprooting trees in many areas of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Strong winds and reduced visibility disrupted normal life briefly.
The rain broke the gruelling heatwave and high humidity that had gripped the capital for days. Residents reported immediate relief as conditions cooled.
