The State continues to reel under heat wave as the mercury level of 14 places crossed 40 degree Celsius, with six of them registering a temperature of 45 degree Celsius on Sunday.
This unprecedented rise in the mercury level left life in the city literally paralysed between 9 am and 5 pm. It was just unbearable outside as well as inside the houses where fans were of no help due to frequent power cuts. The roads and market places wore a deserted look.
In the capital city, the mercury level touched 40.2 degrees C. The situation was similar in other districts of the State. Maximum temperatures at six places of the State were recorded above 45 degrees, while Sambalpur and Bolangir recorded the highest temperature of 46.3 degree C and 46 degree C, respectively.
According to the local Met office, severe heat wave condition would prevail over some parts of interior Odisha during next 24 hours.
Thunder squall accompanied by hail and gusty surface wind is likely to blow at a speed reaching 50 to 60 km per hour at one or two places over north Odisha during next 24 hours, the Met officials said.