Weather update: IMD issues heatwave warning in Odisha districts

BHUBANESWAR: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a yellow warning of heatwaves in many interior districts of the state for the next two to three days.
The districts that are likely to experience heatwave condition are Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Bolangir, Angul, and Kalahandi. Besides, there are chances of light to moderate rain and thundershowers at isolated places in some districts on Sunday, the Met office said.
In Titlagarh town, the maximum temperature touched 42.7 degrees Celsius, the highest in the state, during the day.Bolangir town recorded the next highest, 42.5 degrees Celsius. In six more towns, the mercury hovered at 40 to over 41 degrees Celsius. The city recorded the maximum temperature of 34.8 degrees Celsius.
Umashankar Das, scientist of the regional IMD centre, said, “After a break, condition for rise in the mercury level will become favourable again, mostly in interior and coastal pockets.”
The state government have asked district collectors to remain alert. The office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), in its routine advisory issued to collectors, stressed that people should be advised to take precautionary measures against heat.
The IMD has also cautioned that heat wave may cause health concerns for vulnerable people like infant, elderly and the sick. “People in interior parts of the state usually experience steady rise in daytime temperature during this period. Therefore, we advise them to avoid the sun and stay indoors,” said a government official at the SRC office.