BHUBANESWAR: As mercury soared to new heights in the State with Titlagarh recording a staggering 47.5 degree Celsius, there is more bad news in store. The extended forecast of the India Meteorological Department says there will be no relief from the heat wave till May 6.
Both the day and night temperatures will remain above normal over Odisha and neighbouring States. Severe conditions are unlikely but heat wave will prevail for next 15 days, the national weather forecaster said.
On Friday, as many as 15 stations recorded maximum temperature above 40 degree Celsius of which nine had mercury above 44 degree C. Titlagarh continued to be on the boil with the day temperature on a northward march as the maximum temperature read 47.5 degree C.
Private forecaster Skymet had predictions similar to IMD. It said the current month is likely to end with intense heat wave conditions. Many areas in West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar are reeling under severe heat wave so much so that highest day temperature has been clocking above the 45 degree mark in several parts of Odisha, it said.
“When temperatures start increasing well above the average, pre-monsoon showers take over and bring in relief from extreme weather conditions. However, this year, excessive heat accumulation in absence of rains is only causing more trouble,” its analysis said.
Skymet said coastal areas, where mercury remains more or less in tolerable brackets, have observed high anomaly and humid conditions have become a norm. “The absence of weather system has resulted in an increase in the highest day temperature. No rainfall is expected even in the coastal regions of Odisha and West Bengal,” it added.
So far, seventy-three unconfirmed sun stroke deaths have been received from different parts of the State. On Friday, two deaths were confirmed by the Government. Another 49 cases are still under investigation. As per the Health and Family Welfare Department, 28 patients with heat-related complaints were treated in different hospitals on Thursday.
The weather office said there is no weather system in sight which may provide any rain relief.