Sizzling temperatures coupled with hot winds continued making life miserable for people in the entire State. As many as 25 persons succumbed to sunstroke and extreme weather conditions. However the alleged death due to sun stroke has touched 105.
Due to continued heat-wave conditions, the interior areas covering western parts of the State, are experiencing harrowing times with the situation being more precipitated by frequent undeclared power cuts and scarcity of drinking water.
There is no respite from the scorching sun with the weatherman forecasting prevalence of heat-wave conditions for another 48 hours in the State.
However, there is warning of thunder squal accompanied by hail and gusty surface wind with speed reaching 60 to 70 km per hour in one or two places over the State during next 48 hours.
Balangir remained the hottest place on Sunday as mercury touched 46 degree Celsius, which is highest in the district during the season, throwing life out of gear in the areas. Besides maximum temperature was recorded between 40 to 46 degrees Celsius in around 13 districsts across the State.
Towns like Titlagarh, Hirakud and Sundargarh recorded a maximum 45.5 degrees Celsius followed by Sambalpur with 45.3 degrees, Bhawanipatna 44.7, Malkanakrir 44.5, Angul 44.1, Talcher 43.2, Candabali, 42.7, Phulbani 42, Konajhargarh 41, Cuttack 40.5 and the capital city Bhubaneswar registered 40.4 degrees Celsius temperature on the day.
The Bhubaneswar Met office has predicted that the heat-wave conditions would prevail for next 48 hours in interior Odisha. However, the sources said that the Monsoon this year is likely to be delayed and may reach Odisha coast by early third week of June.
