Searing heatwave conditions intensified in Odisha with the mercury rising above 40 degrees Celsius in 19 places in the state today.
Titlagarh in western Odisha's Balangir district sizzled at 46.2 degrees Celsius, while the industrial town of Jharsuguda as well as Bhawanipatna in the region recorded 46 degrees Celsius, the MeT office here said.
Balangir town recorded 45.4 degrees Celsius, followed by 45 degrees Celsius at Sambalpur and Hirakud, 44.7 at Angul, 44.2 at Sonepur and Talcher, 42.1 at Dhenkanal and 41.5 at Baripada, it said.
The state capital Bhubaneswar, which is in the coastal area, recorded 42.7 degrees Celsius, Cuttack 40, Balasore 40.1, Puri 35, Gopalpur 32.7 and Paradeep 38 degrees Celsius, the weatherman said.
But the high humidity in the area made life unbearable. Bhubaneswar recorded humidity of 91 per cent, the Met office said.
Meanwhile, the number of alleged sun stroke deaths which stood at 23 yesterday rose to 26 with three fresh deaths reported today, according to the office of the special relief commissioner (SRC).
However, investigation was on into the reported cases to ascertain the exact reason of the deaths, SRC sources said.
