BHUBANESWAR: The onslaught of the heat wave is set to continue. The model forecasts of India Meteorological Department show no relief for the State for at least a week. On Thursday, mercury went upwardly mobile across Western Odisha while showing signs of settling down in coastal pockets.
Titlagarh was virtually on the boil with the maximum day temperature reaching 45.5 degree Celsius. Another western town Sonepur reported 45.1 degree. The pattern was uniform across the region which is called the hot plate of the State. Balangir, Bhawanipatna, Sambalpur and Hirakud reeled under extreme hot conditions.
In Bhubaneswar, it showed a decline and settled at 40.2 degree. In many parts of the coastal belt, the temperature dropped marginally but humidity jumped considerably to make life miserable.
This trend would continue for next one week. Across the coastal zone, the average temperature is expected to range in 40-42 degree. In western districts, it would be between 42 and 45 degree, Director, IMD, Odisha Sarat Chandra Sahu said.
“The moisture level in upper atmosphere is very low which is preventing thundershower activities. With westerly wind expected within a day or two, the temperature may soar. There is no forecast of rain till April 21-22,” Sahu said. The Skymet also echoed similar views.
However, it is the Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model of IMD which provides an interesting outlook for the heat wave. It shows that the State might see rain around April 28-29, two weeks from now.
During this phase, the NWP forecast says temperature anomaly in the region comprising coastal, central and bulk of northern districts will be about two degrees.
Southern Odisha districts of Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri too will have similar scenario whereas over rest parts, the difference will be about one degree from normal.
From April 22, it might change and mercury could report a marginal decline. While most parts of coastal, northern and western districts will report normal temperature, central and adjoining southern pockets will get more relief.
However, the NWP model is not taken very seriously since it is a numerical system and does not take into account atmospheric changes.
Meanwhile, there has been no change in the sunstroke deaths in the State with the toll remaining unchanged at 30 on Thursday.