The summer in Odisha this year appears to be going to be harsher than last year.
The day temperatures are already soaring with Titilagarh in Balangir district recording a maximum of 39 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological (MeT) Centre here has predicted a hot summer ahead.
Hot winds flowing from the south-west, especially Telangana and Rayalaseema, are causing the day temperatures to rise in Odisha, the MeT Centre said.
Other places which recorded high temperatures are Angul (37.3), Jharsuguda (36.5), Sambalpur (35.7), Hirakud (36.1), Talcher (36.7), Balangir (38), Phulbani (36) and Malkangiri (38.2). Bhubaneswar recorded 34.4 degrees today, it said.
The temperature is, however, likely to decrease gradually due to norwesters, which are expected soon, said IMD Regional Director Sarat Chandra Sahoo.
“While the temperature was recorded at 39 degree Celsius between March and May since 1971 till 2000 in Odisha, it is likely to cross 45-degrees Celsius during the same months this year,” Sahoo said.
Special Relief Commissioner Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra has asked various departments to undertake action plans to mitigate a likely heat wave situation.
As the temperatures soared about two degree Celsius above the normal average by March first week, Mohapatra said the departments would chalk out strategies on how to help people from the scorching heat and heat wave.