Bhubaneswar: Odisha is experiencing an unusual spike in temperatures as early as March, raising concerns about the state’s weather conditions in the coming days, even as summer is yet to set in.
Several regions across the state have recorded temperatures significantly higher than normal, with Jharsuguda topping the list at 37.4°C at 2:30 PM on Saturday. Other areas, including Sambalpur (36.8°C), Rourkela (36.4°C), Chandbali (34.8°C), Keonjhar (34.4°C), and Bhubaneswar (34°C), also reported elevated temperatures.
Jharsuguda had already recorded the highest maximum temperature of 37.0°C on Friday, indicating a consistent upward trend.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its mid-day bulletin on Saturday, highlighted that maximum temperatures were appreciably above normal by 3-5°C in one or two places across North Interior Odisha. In other parts of the state, temperatures were 2-3°C above normal, with only a few areas recording normal temperatures.
The IMD also noted that minimum temperatures (night temperatures) were significantly higher than usual, with many places in Interior Odisha recording a rise of 3-5°C. Coastal Odisha witnessed a 2-3°C increase in minimum temperatures, while other regions remained stable. The bulletin further stated that no significant change in maximum or minimum temperatures is expected over the next 4-5 days, indicating that the current trend is likely to persist.
This early rise in temperature has sparked concerns among residents and authorities, as the state braces for potentially harsher conditions in the approaching summer months.
