People reel under intense heat wave in Odisha

People in Odisha faced gruelling heat conditions as temperature in capital city of Bhubaneswar rose above 40 degrees Celsius.

Besides Bhubaneswar, mercury touched 42.7 degrees in several towns like Angul and Bhawanipatna. The temperature crossed 40 degree Celsius in 16 other towns of the state.

Director of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, Sarat Chandra Sahu, said no rainfall and wind from hot areas were causing heat wave conditions.

"Mainly the heat wave in Odisha is caused due to clear sky conditions and thunder sky activities decreased because three-four days back there was thunder sky activity, so temperature was dropped up to 38, 39 degrees in some places, but thereafter thunder sky activity is not there and rainfall activity is also not occurring. Yesterday, there was no rainfall and wind flow is primarily from north westerly or south westerly which is coming from northwest part of India or from Telangana and other parts. It is causing rise in temperature because those areas are hot areas," said Sahu.

As per Sahu, the heat wave condition will continue for the next seven days as there is no flow of wind from the sea.

Locals were seen carrying umbrellas and drinking fruit juices to protect themselves from the sun and beat the heat. The roadside juice vendors were doing brisk business as the locals thronged shops for refreshing cold beverages.

The heat wave has affected normal lives of the people and forced them to stay indoors.

"One must carry water, cap or an umbrella as sun is harsh and there is no other way besides these to beat the heat," said a resident, Biswanath Prasad Jena.

May and June are usually the hottest months of the year in India with temperatures often in the range of 42 to 47 degrees Celsius in many places.