BHUBANESWAR: Intense heat wave conditions prevailed across Odisha on Wednesday, particularly in Western region where mercury went past 45 degree Celsius in several places with Titlagarh turning out to be the hottest place in the State at 46.5 degree Celsius.
Several places in Western Odisha, Sonepur, Hirakud, Balangir, Jharsuguda and Bhawanipatna recorded temperature of more than 45 degree Celsius. While Sonepur recorded 46.2 degrees, temperature in Hirakud was 45.6 degree Celsius.
There seems to be no respite in the near future with IMD predicting that heat wave conditions will prevail till April 27. Mercury crossed 44 degree Celsius mark in at least 10 places and remained above 40 degrees at over 17 places of the State.
While Balangir recorded 45.5 degree Celsius, temperature in Jharsuguda and Bhawanipatna was 45.3 degrees and 45 degree Celsius respectively. Mercury crossed 44 degree Celsius in coal belt of Talcher and Angul with the two towns recording 44.8 and 44.7 degrees respectively.
While the maximum temperature at Sambalpur was 44.6 degrees Celsius, Sundargarh recorded 44.5 degrees.
Bhubaneswar recorded a maximum temperature of 38.9 degrees as against 39.9 degree C recorded on Tuesday, while it was 38 degrees in Cuttack as the coastal belt experienced marginal respite from the heat.
However, according to IMD, Bhubaneswar, though there was a slight dip in temperature, the model indicator suggests a gradual rise in temperature in interior and coastal Odisha from Thursday.
Meanwhile, reports of 59 deaths due to sunstroke have been received from different places of the State.
SRC office said on inquiry, 16 deaths were found to be due to other reasons. Besides, 43 cases are under inquiry, it added.