Bhubaneswar: Intense pre-summer heat gripped much of Odisha today, with 18 locations—predominantly in western and interior regions—recording maximum daytime temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius.
Jharsuguda emerged as the hottest spot at 39.2°C, followed closely by Titlagarh at 38.5°C. Other notably high readings included Sambalpur and Bhawanipatna at 37.5°C each, Sundargarh at 37.4°C, Hirakud at 37.0°C, Nuapada at 37.0°C, Rourkela at 37.1°C, Bolangir and Nayagarh at 36.6°C each, Sonepur at 36.3°C, Paralakhemundi at 36.0°C, Dhenkanal at 36.1°C, Bargarh at 35.7°C, Angul at 35.1°C, Talcher, Nawarangpur, and Khordha at 35.0°C each.
The persistent trough extending from a cyclonic circulation over south Jharkhand and adjoining north Chhattisgarh to Marathwada, passing through interior Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Vidarbha at 0.9 km above mean sea level, continues to influence the weather pattern, contributing to the elevated temperatures.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted isolated thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds (reaching 30-40 kmph) over the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bhadrak during Wednesday morning and throughout the day. Residents in these areas are advised to stay alert for sudden weather changes.
Meanwhile, the heat is expected to persist in interior districts, with authorities urging people to take precautions against rising temperatures, including hydration and avoiding peak sun hours.
