The district collectors in Odisha were today put on alert as the state experienced sweltering heat with the highest temperature of 45.4 degrees Celsius recorded at the industrial town of Jharsuguda.
The state's Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has meanwhile received reports regarding death of 12 persons due to sun stroke and is inquiring into it.
While the entire Odisha was sizzling with at least 16 places recording temperature above 40 degrees Celsius, the mercury level crossed 44 degrees Celsius mark in six places, IMD sources said.
The state capital Bhubaneswar recorded a temperature of 41 degrees Celsius with relative humidity at 91 per cent.
Regarding reports that 12 persons died to sun stroke, a release issued by the SRC office said, "on inquiry, the death of two of these cases is found to have occurred due to other reasons. The remaining cases are under enquiry."
Jharsuguda (45.4) was followed by Hirakud (44.8), Sambalpur, Bhawanipatna, Titlagarh (44.5 degrees C each) and Balangir (44.2).
This was followed by Sambalpur and Sonepur (43.5 each), Angul (42.9), Talcher (42.6), Sundergarh (42.5), Malkangiri (42), Dhenkanal (41.2), Bhubaneswar (41), Chandbali, Baripada recording 40.2 degrees Celsius and 40 degrees Celsius respectively.
The SRC, meanwhile, put all the district collectors on alert and asked them to monitor the situation on a daily basis.
"The SRC in urgent letters to all the 30 district collectors has asked to ensure that the existing guidelines to beat heat are followed sincerely," Deputy SRC Pravat Ranjan Mohapatra said.
