Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a stark warning that scorching heat conditions across Odisha will persist and intensify over the next four days, with no immediate relief in sight.
The regional weather department cautioned that heatwave conditions are expected to continue in several areas of western Odisha today , while severe humid heat will make conditions extremely uncomfortable across both coastal and western regions.
The IMD has specifically forecast heatwave situations in Jharsuguda, Balangir, and Sambalpur. Hot and humid weather will prevail in various parts of western, coastal, and southern Odisha, with the sultry conditions becoming unbearable in districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati.
On Wednesday, Jharsuguda emerged as one of the hottest places in the country, with temperatures approaching 45°C. Dhenkanal ranked as the 10th hottest city nationally, while Angul stood at the 12th position.
The IMD has indicated that the chances of respite from this severe heat in the coming days are slim, warning that temperatures could rise further and become unmanageable.
Meanwhile, there may be some localized relief in southern Odisha, where pre-monsoon thunderstorms (Kalbaisakhi) could bring rain accompanied by thunder in various places until April 26.
Residents, especially the elderly, children, and outdoor workers, are advised to take precautions such as staying hydrated, avoiding direct sunlight during peak hours, and limiting physical exertion.
