Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], April 22 (ANI): Odisha is reeling under a severe heatwave, with Jharsuguda recording a maximum temperature at 45.4 degrees Celsius on Monday, making it the hottest place in the state, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Similarly, the state capital, Bhubaneswar, recorded 36 degrees Celsius as the state sizzled under extreme heatwave conditions.
According to the IMD, the maximum temperature is likely to reach above 42 degrees Celsius in 10 districts of the state, including Angul, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Bolangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Bargarh, Kalahandi, and Nuapada, while the maximum temperature very likely to rise by 2-4 degrees Celsius during the next three days, no large change during the subsequent two days and thereafter fall by 2-4 degrees Celsius over the districts of Odisha.
In view of the ongoing heatwave, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has urged people to avoid going outside during peak hours. If it is necessary to step out, people are advised to take precautions, stay hydrated, and wear light, breathable clothing. The weather agency also advised elderly people to take special precautions during peak hours.
As IMD forecast 39 degrees Celsius for Baripada town in Mayurbhanj district on Tuesday, the district administration has taken several measures, advising schools to adjust their schedules to morning sessions to avoid extreme heat conditions. The weather agency also advised labourers to stop work during the peak hours to prevent heat-related illnesses.
The district administration also installed drinking water counters to provide relief to people from the scorching heat.
In a notice, the district administration said, “According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the heatwave is intensifying day by day. To protect people from heatstroke, the district administration has taken precautionary measures. To avoid the peak heat hours, the timing of local daily and weekly markets has been regulated. According to the directive, local daily and weekly markets in the district will remain open to the public until 11 am and will be closed from 11 am to 4 pm. This schedule will be in effect until further notice.” (ANI)