The heat wave continued unabated in the State on Friday with Bhawanipatna recording a maximum temperature of 45.5 degrees Celsius. At least 10 places recoded above 40 degrees. While the daytime temperature was recorded 45 degrees in Titilagarh, Sonepur recorded 45.4, Phulabani 41.7, Balangir 45, Talcher 41.3, Hirakud 44.6, Sundargarh 42.5. Jharsuguda 43.6, Sambalpur 44.8.
The capital city Bhubaneswar recorded 39.7 degrees Celsius. The Special Relief Commissioner said 17 people have died of sunstroke in the State so far. Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar Met centre Director Sarat Sahoo said temperature across Odisha would stay below 40 degree Celsius after June 3 as pre-monsoon rain is likely to occur from June 2 to 4. Monsoon will hit the state in the second week of June, Sahu added.