Bhubaneswar: Monday witnessed the daytime temperature rising steadily since morning. It seems as if fire is raining from the sky during noon.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) sources, four locations in Odisha recorded temperature hovering around 40 degree Celsius by 2.30 pm on Monday, with Bhubaneswar recording the highest temperature of 41.2C at 2.30 pm.
Amid prevailing hot and humid conditions, places that have been experiencing blistering heat wave conditions at 2.30 pm include Chandbali (41.1 C), Jharsuguda (41 C), Balasore (40 C), Hirakud (39.5 C), Sambalpur (39.4 C), Rourkela (39,2 C), Keonjhar (39.8 C), Gopalpur (35.5 C), Paradip (35.5 C) and Puri (35 C).
Bhubaneswar has been reeling under acute heat wave conditions thanks to large-scale deforestation and fast urbanization, resented green activists.
Meanwhile, the regional center of the IMD in Bhubaneswar has warned that there will be no letup from the scorching heat in the next week and the day temperatures are likely to rise beyond 40°C in several places in the state.
Going by the latest prediction of IMD, the temperature is likely to increase by four to six degree Celsius for the next six days in several districts of Odisha.