Bhubaneswar: Odisha is grappling with unusually high temperatures this January. The state, which usually experiences mild winters, is witnessing temperatures soar above normal, making residents resort to using fans much earlier than usual and swelter in the heat.
The mercury has been soaring across the state, with several places recording temperatures above 32°C, a rare occurrence during this time of the year.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, the highest temperature of 34.2°C was recorded in Parlakhemundi, followed by 33.5°C in Sundargarh, 33.2°C in Koraput, and 33°C in Jharsuguda and Bargarh.
The heat wave broke a 14-year-old record in Koraput, where the temperature touched 32.6°C on January 30, 2009.
Uma Shankar Das, a scientist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), attributed the rise in temperature to a high-pressure belt over Odisha, which is preventing the flow of cool air from the north.
The heat wave is expected to continue till January 25, with the temperature likely to remain above 30°C in most places.
