At least seven places recorded temperature above 44 degree Celsius on Friday while the local Meteorological Department here predicted rain and thundershowers under the influence of a low pressure in the Bay of Bengal in most parts of the State in the next 24 hours.
While Titilagarh recorded the highest temperature of the day at 45.5 degree C, Jharsuguda recorded 44.1 degree C, Sambalpur 44.8 degree C, Sundargarh 44 degree C, Hirakud 44.3 degree C, Bhawanipatna 44.8 degree C and Balangir 44 degree C.
Besides, temperature soared above 40 degree C in Bhubaneswar (40.4), Angul (41.9), Keonjhar (41.3), Talcher (42.5), Phulbani (40.8) and Sonepur (43.4).
The Met office, in a release, said a depression formed over east-central Bay of Bengal on Thursday moved south-westward and formed a well marked low pressure area over the central Bay of Bengal at 8.30 am on Friday.
Under its influence, rain or thundershower would occur at one or two places over Odisha in the next two days while heavy rainfall may occur at some places in the north Odisha districts by May 26. However, there will be a gradual rise in temperature in the State from May 29, it added.