Heat wave in Odisha as mercury crosses 40 degrees

A searing heat wave on Monday continued to torture Odisha as day temperatures went past the 40-degree mark in 13 towns and cities of the state.

While four towns recorded above 42 degrees Celsius, Titlagarh recorded 43 degrees, forcing people to remain inside their houses as the intense heat wave swept across the state, said a bulletin of the India Meteorological Department, Bhubaneswar.

The mercury soared in the four cities of Angul, Talcher, Jharsuguda and Bolangir which recorded temperatures above 42 degrees, added the bulletin.

IMD Bhubaneswar director Sarat Chandra Sahu said the heat wave will continue for the next two days.

The capital city of Bhubaneswar recorded 40.8 degrees Celsius.

The people of the state are reeling under the intense heat for the past several days.

The government has ordered that schools be closed down by 10.30 a.m. to shelter the students from the scorching sun.