State capital Bhubaneswar recorded a maximum temperature of 42.3 degree Celsius for the second consecutive day on Monday, which virtually brought life to a standstill.
Most of the denizens preferred to stay indoors to keep away from the scorching heat. Those who ventured out due to important engagements covered their faces with clothes to keep the hot breeze away.
But contrary to the claims of the CESU officials prolonged unscheduled power cuts compounded the woes of the residents in different parts of the city. But those who frantically called up the electricity office were disappointed as there was no response.
However, the weather officials said there would be no respite from the sizzling heat for nearly a week.
The condition in neighbouring Cuttack is no better with the mercury constantly hovering over 40 degree Celsius since the last few days.
An official at the Regional Office of Indian Metrological Department (IMD) here claimed that the weakening of the southwest monsoon in the State was due to blowing of hot wind from the northwest direction, which has altered the course of the monsoon.
Besides the capital city, several other places in the State also recorded temperature of 40°C and above such as Chandbali (40°C), Cuttack (40.2°C), Balangir (40.6°C), Angul (41.3°C), Baripada (40.4°C) and Bhawanipatna (40.2°C).