BALASORE: With temperature reading 45.3 degree Celsius, Baripada town on Saturday emerged the hottest place in Northern Odisha. With the mercury rising two degrees more than Friday, it was claimed to be the highest in April in the last 10 years.
The town generally records such high temperature during late May or early June. On June 4, 2012, the town recorded the highest temperature of 47 degree.
On the other hand, Balasore and Chandbali in Bhadrak district recorded 44.2 degrees and 42.5 degree Celsius respectively on Saturday. Going by the figures of the past, Balasore had recorded the highest temperature of 46.4 degree Celsius in April 2001 and 45 degrees on April 20, 2010.
“It was unprecedented as the temperature increased by almost six degrees in just two days. It was unbearable as high humidity and a strong hot breeze made us sweat profusely,” said Ratnakar Behera of Balasore.
The roads wore a deserted look during day as people chose to remain indoors. Many business establishments also remained closed from 11 am to 5 pm owing to the rise in temperature and little demand for their items during peak hours.
A Met official from Balasore said, the temperature started rising from 6.03 am when it was recorded at 30 degree. At about 2 pm it was 44.5 degree and remained so till 2.30 pm before falling gradually.
“The temperature is likely to increase and the hot weather condition will prevail for next 24 hours. The hot and sultry condition in the town is due to the strong presence of hot and dry north-westerly wind and absence of sea breeze,” he said.
The Met official attributed the rise in temperature in Baripada to the town’s close proximity to Similipal hills. Meanwhile, the heat continued to claim more lives in the region.
Two persons are reported to have died due to sunstroke in the last couple of days in Balasore taking the toll to five while three have succumbed to the intense heat in Mayurbhanj in the last one week.