Bhubaneswar, April 12: Orissa is experiencing intense heat wave over the past week. On Sunday temperature hovered between 40 degree Celsius and 45 degree Celsius. The met department has forecast that the intense spell will continue for the next 48 hours.
Officially two persons have died of heat stroke. However, local papers have reported more than 25 deaths in the last seven days. The hottest day of the season (45.6) was recorded in Sambalpur, about 320 km west of Bhubaneswar . Jharsuguda, neighbouring Sambalpur, and Titlagarh sub-division in Balangir recorded 45 degree Celcius each.
Some other districts of Orissa also recorded temperature well above 40 degree Celcius. They included another western Orissa district Sundergarh (44.5 degree Celcius) and Angul (44.1 degree Celcius). Capital Bhubaneswar recorded 40.1 degree Celsius.
According to the department, the acute heat is due to eastern and south western wind from outside as well as local factors. “The acute heat is due to increase in wind speed from 10 km to 25 km per hour over the past few days. Local factors like cloud-free sky have also contributed to the heat wave,” he said.
—–Agencies