BHUBANESWAR: A staggering heatwave singed Odisha on Tuesday as mercury rose alarmingly across the State. As many as 17 out of 23 met stations reported above 40 degree C temperature which was a record of sorts. Meanwhile, the State Government has put the official sunstroke deaths at three. The unofficial toll, however, is 20.
Titlagarh, which recorded 45.5 degree Celsius for the second consecutive day, remained the hottest place of the State. Angul, Talcher and Sundargarh were equally hot as the three stations recorded more than 44 degree C on the day.
The western pockets of the State continued to face blistering conditions as most places recorded above 43 degree C.
The conditions in coastal pockets were equally bad as the rising day temperature coupled with humidity made life intolerable. Bhubaneswar saw the mercury close in on to 40 degree C while Cuttack and Chandbali recorded above 40 degree C on the day.
The weather office said there is no likelihood of any change in the conditions. Around April 28, some pockets may receive rain due to norwester but the showers would be localised. ''It may bring relief to certain pockets but there is little chance of any change in overall conditions,'' Director, India Meteorological Department, Odisha SC Sahu said.
Independent weather forecaster Skymet said a trough is extending from Bangladesh to south Tamil Nadu across interior Odisha and Telangana, but rains are not yet expected in these regions in near future.
''Moreover, due to dry and warm northwesterly winds, temperatures across interior Odisha, Telangana, Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra Pradesh may rise marginally,'' it added.
As the hot and humid weather is expected to continue for next 3-4 days, no respite is likely.