The State Government has received reports of 23 deaths allegedly due to sunstroke as the severe heat wave across the State showed no signs of abatement on Friday. Deputy Special Relief Commissioner (DSRC) Pravat Ranjan Mohapatra said the administration has received reports of 23 deaths due to sunstroke so far. However, investigation of only two cases has been completed, which said the deaths have occurred due to some other reasons. Other cases are under investigation by the district Collectors, he added.
Normal life was disrupted on Friday as temperature of 16 places crossed 40 degree Celsius. While Jharsuguda continued to remain the hottest place for the second consecutive day with 45.8 degree, The mercury crossed 45 degree in six western Odisha of Titilagarh (45.7), Hirakud (45.6), Bhawanipatna (45.5), Sambalpur (45.3) and Balangir (45.1), Met sources said.
Bhubaneswar recorded 40.6 deg C with the heat becoming unbearable in the city as the relative humidity was recorded at 92 per cent. The other places where temperature crossed 40 deg included Talcher (44), Angul (43.7), Sundergarh (43.5), Dhenkanal (42.7), Baripada (42.6), Phulbani (41.8), Malkangiri and Keonjhargarh (41.6 each) and Chandbali (41.0).