Normal life was severely hit in many parts of Odisha today with the mercury level touching 44 degrees Celsius at two places even as the local IMD forecast heat wave-like conditions over Odisha for at least a week.
At least 12 places, mostly in the western region of the state recorded above 40 degrees Celsius forcing the people to remain indoors till evening.
The roads in most of the towns wore a deserted look due to the heat wave, revenue and disaster management department sources said.
While the industrial towns of Titlagargh and Hirakud recorded 44 degrees Celsius, western Odisha town of Sambalpur sizzled as the mercury level touched 43.9 degrees Celsius followed by 43.4 degrees Celsius at Jharsuguda and Sonepur, 43.2 degrees Celsius at Bhawanipatna and 43 degrees Celsius at Balangir.
Other towns which recorded above 40 degrees Celsius were Angul (41.1), Sundergarh (41.5), Talcher (41.2) and Malkangiri (41).
The state capital of Bhubaneswar recorded 40.7 degrees Celsius with relative humidity at 88 per cent.
While predicting a sweltering summer, Sarat Chandra Sahu, director IMD, Bhubaneswar, said "The high temperature and heat wave conditions are due to dry and hot winds from northwest parts of India towards Odisha coast in addition to clear sky conditions here."
Cyclonic circulation over east-central Bay of Bengal and subsequent formation of low pressure there in 48 hours favoured the continuation of flow of dry and hot northwesterly winds through the Odisha coast, Sahu pointed out.
Temperatures ranging from 42 degrees Celsius to 44 degrees Celsius in most parts of Odisha barring a few coastal areas and hill stations may prevail during the next seven days, Sahu said, adding sea breeze may not be prominent or absent during this period.
"So, uncomfortable like situation at both day and night will be experienced over coastal and interior districts during this period," the IMD official said.
