ROURKELA: Heat wave, unscheduled power cuts and water scarcity has made life miserable for people of Rourkela. On Wednesday, mercury surpassed 46 degree Celsius to record the highest ever temperature of the season in Rourkela. The district headquarters town of Sundargarh was also hot at 44.5.
The Environment Engineering Department of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) reported the maximum temperature at 46.2 with maximum atmospheric humidity of 42 per cent. On Tuesday, Rourkela had recorded 45.5 degrees Celsius.
The worst affected area was Uditnagar where residents had to face a harrowing time due to power cut on Wednesday. Power supply was snapped for seven hours from 6.30 am. Wesco has announced to snap supply from 5 am to 11.30 am from Thursday for seven days at Uditnagar for widening of Rourkela main road and shifting of electric posts.
Meanwhile, people’s struggle for drinking water continues. Residents of industrial township of Rourkela Steel Plant, some slum pockets under Rourkela Municipal Corporation and dry rural pockets are facing hardship due to the crisis.
As per unofficial reports, the district has reported five sunstroke-related deaths. District Emergency Officer, Sumita Singh said, three sunstroke-related death cases have been reported so far and they are being cases were reported
Chief District Medical Officer Dr SK Kar said, patients affected with ‘heat stress’ are being admitted to the hospitals. The condition is a result of exposure to excessive heat, he added.