Rise in the mercury up to 44 degree Celsius in Keonjhar district has made life intolerable. Although the offices are functioning on morning hours, the streets, offices and banks remain vacant after 11 am. The buses plying during the day time also find few passengers while the daily market shops hardly find a customer during the day time.
Along with the rising temperature, water scarcity and disruption in drinking water supply has compounded the woes. The residents of Joda and Barbil mines area face more difficulties as the temperature is higher than even 44 degree due to the dry climatic conditions there. The heat wave is expected to continue for another two weeks and people have to remain careful about sun strokes.