With mercury crossing above 40 degree Celsius at 18 places and Sundagarh recording the highest temperature at 45 degree on Saturday, the Meteorological Centre here forecast that the prevailing heat wave conditions would last for at least a week more with temperatures touching or crossing a 40-degree mark.
Met Centre Director Sarat Chandra Sahu said there was no forecast of any rainfall and thunder squall for the next one week.
“The temperatures in coastal districts are in increasing trend due to absence of sea breeze and mainly westerly wind flow through central India towards Odisha coast. Similar trend may continue for a period of one week,” said Sahu.
On Saturday, Sundargarh recorded the highest temperature at 45 degree Celsius while Baleswar, Chandbali, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Angul, Baripada, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Hirakud, Talcher, Bhawanipatna, Balangir, Titilgarh, Mlakangiri, Sonepur and Dhenkanal recorded above 40 degree. Notably, Met Centre Director Sahu recalled similar higher temperature experienced in April in past years when Sambalpur had recorded 46 degree on April 29, 2009.