Bhubaneswar: Odisha continued to experience pre-summer heat on Wednesday, with as many as 20 places recording maximum temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius amid a persistent dry spell across the state.
Jharsuguda emerged as the hottest spot, scorching at 39.0°C, followed closely by Sundargarh and Talcher at 38.0°C each, and Titlagarh at 38.4°C.Other notable high readings included Sambalpur and Hirakud at 37.4°C, Bhawanipatna at 37.5°C, Dhenkanal at 37.9°C, Bolangir and Sonepur at 37.0°C each, Bargarh at 37.0°C, Rourkela at 37.1°C, Phulbani at 35.8°C, Angul at 35.7°C, Bhubaneswar at 35.0°C, Nayagarh at 35.0°C, Rayagada at 35.0°C, Nawarangpur at 35.5°C, and Paralakhemundi at 36.8°C.
The sharp rise in daytime mercury, particularly in western and northern interior districts, has been attributed to clear skies, hot winds from the northwest, and above-normal temperature trends forecasted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for March.
While heat persists, a change is on the horizon for some areas. The IMD has predicted thunderstorm activity accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds (speeds up to 30-40 kmph) at isolated places over the districts of Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bhadrak on Thursday.
This could bring temporary relief through scattered showers in northern Odisha, though most regions are likely to remain dry and hot.
