Bhubaneswar: The coming week is expected to bring intense heat across Odisha, with western and interior regions of the state likely to experience a severe heatwave. Cities like Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Balangir, Titilagarh, and Sundargarh are set to face scorching temperatures, with mercury expected to soar once again.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, temperatures in some areas may reach up to 45°C on May 9. On May 8, temperatures in Jharsuguda and Sambalpur are forecasted to touch 43°C, while on May 9, both cities could hit the peak of 45°C.
Other cities such as Titilagarh, Sundargarh, and Balangir are expected to see 43°C, Boudh 42°C, and districts like Bargarh, Sonepur, Rourkela, Bhubaneswar, Nayagarh, Khurda, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, and Baripada may witness temperatures above 40°C. On May 10 and 11, the entire state is likely to experience heat above 40°C, possibly breaking previous records.
There is a high likelihood that more than half of the cities in western Odisha will surpass the 45°C mark.
Due to the forecasted heatwave, dry and humid conditions between May 8 and 13, a yellow warning and alert have been issued for various districts across Odisha. Meanwhile, the heat has already intensified today in interior parts of the state — with Sambalpur recording the highest at 41°C, followed by 40.8°C in Balangir, 40.4°C in Jharsuguda, and 40°C in Titilagarh.