BHUBANESWAR: Blistering hot days are on cards for Odisha as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast mercury to touch 45 degree Celsius in several districts of the state this week.
The national weather forecaster has also issued heatwave warning between Tuesday and Thursday. Weather experts said intensity of the sweltering heat is expected to be at its peak on Tuesday and Wednesday. Isolated places in Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Balangir and Sundargarh districts are likely to experience heatwave during this period.
The IMD has predicted hot and humid conditions for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati districts on Monday. Meanwhile, a few places in Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Balangir, Sundargarh , Kalahandi, Bargarh and Nuapada districts may experience heatwave on Wednesday.
The sultry weather conditions are likely to prevail in parts of the state till Friday. The national weather body has forecast warm nights in western Odisha districts on Monday and Tuesday.
Weather experts, meanwhile, attributed the possibility of rise in day temperature to south-westerly winds blowing towards the state. In its extended range outlook for two weeks (April 17 to 30), the regional met office has predicted the temperature to hover between 42 deg C and 44 deg C in interior and western districts of Odisha.
In view of the situation, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has asked all collectors to take precautionary measures in their districts. People have been advised to avoid venturing out of their houses between 11 am and 3.30 pm. The administrations have also been directed to closely monitor the situation.
As per the IMD’s summer season forecast, Odisha, on an average, records around 11 heatwave days between April and June. However this year, the number could be on the higher side.
The regional met office said the maximum temperature has already started soaring and increased by about 3 deg C to 4 deg C at a few places in north coastal districts on Saturday.
On Sunday, 14 places recorded 40 deg C or more. Jharsuguda recorded the highest 43.3 deg C followed by Titilagarh 43 deg C. Meanwhile, some places in Odisha are also likely to witness thunderstorm, lightning and gusty surface winds in the next five days.