IMD issues heatwave warning till May 29

Bhubaneswar: IMD on Monday issued a red warning for the likely continuation of intense heatwave at isolated places in Sambalpur, Balangir and Boudh districts along with warm nights over next two days.

Orange and yellow heatwave warnings of different intensities would continue in Jharsuguda, Sonepur Nuapada, Kalahandi, Sambalpur, Bolangir, Boudh, Bargarh and Kandhamal districts till May 29.

No sign of relief from intense heatwave was forecast in western Odisha pockets for the second successive week, said an IMD forecast.

On Monday, Boudh at 45.9ºC and Titilagarh at 45.5ºC were top hottest towns in Odisha. At least 18 more towns or cities were also sizzling between 50 and 44 degrees Celsius. In coastal pockets hot and humid condition with high hot index continued even as mercury stood below 40 degree at several places. The city recorded a maximum of 38.3ºC.

IMD further forecast that hot and humid conditions warning would continue at isolated places in 17 districts — Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Angul, Dhenkanal, Nawrangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh.

Besides, thunderstorm activities, accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds, would continue in several districts this week, an IMD bulletin said.

Manorama Mohanty, head of regional IMD centre, said there would be no large change in day temperature till May 29. Thereafter, temperature would drop by two to three degrees Celsius.

The govt also keeps district collectors on alert and issued advisory to take needful steps.