Bhubaneswar: Odisha continued to grapple with intense pre-summer heat on Saturday, with 12 locations recording maximum daytime temperatures exceeding 35°C, signaling an early and aggressive onset of the hot season.
Sonepur emerged as the hottest spot in the state, soaring to 37.7°C, closely followed by Titilagarh at 37.6°C. Other towns baking under the sun included Bhawanipatna (36.5°C), Bolangir (36.4°C), Sambalpur (36.4°C), Nuapada (36.2°C), Jharsuguda (36.2°C), and Nabarangpur (36.0°C). Additional places surpassing the 35°C threshold were Sundargarh, Hirakud, Phulbani, Paralakhemundi, Dhenkanal, Bargarh, and Rourkela.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributes this spike to prevailing dry conditions and above-normal temperatures across interior districts, with forecasts indicating a continued rise in mercury in the coming days before a brief respite.
Relief could arrive soon, however. In the next 24 hours, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds (30-40 kmph) are likely at isolated places across districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Kandhamal, Bargarh, and Sonepur.
On March 8 and 9, similar thunderstorm activity with stronger gusts (up to 40-50 kmph) is expected in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Sundargarh. A Yellow Warning (Be Aware) remains in effect for thunderstorms and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) in several districts, including Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Boudh.
Residents are advised to stay hydrated, avoid peak sun hours, and take precautions against lightning and strong winds. The IMD predicts a temporary dip in temperatures due to these weather systems before heat builds again.
