Nor'wester hits Odisha, but western parts still bake

A Nor'wester accompanied by hailstorm and rainfall swept over Odisha's coastal belt including the capital city leaving behind a trail of destruction, but western Odisha continued to reel under intense heat wave on Wednesday.

So strong was the intensity of the gale that it uprooted big trees and twisted hoardings.

Reports said that as many as 17 persons were killed and several sustained burn injuries due to lightning in several parts of the state. However, there was no confirmation from the state government over the death reports. "We are collecting information from districts over deaths due to lightning," said an official of special relief commissioner's office.

Meanwhile, a total of eight places recorded temperature above 40 degrees Celsius in the state.

Bhawanipatna registered highest temperature of 44.7 degrees Celsius followed by Hiurakud at 43.8 degrees, Titlagah at 43.5 degrees and Jharsuguda at 43.4 degrees Celsius, said Bhubaneswar met department. Bhubaneswar recorded 39.4 degrees Celsius.

Met department director Sarat Chandra Sahu said the state would continue to receive rainfall in the coming days while it would experience pre-monsoon rainfall from May 5.

--IANS

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