Odisha in grip of intense heat wave

An intense heat wave continued to sweep Odisha as 17 regions recorded temperatures of above 40 degrees Celsius on Friday while at least 30 deaths due to sunstroke were reported.

While the temperature in coastal Odisha registered a minor decrease, the western region was on boil as Sonepur recorded the highest temperature of 45.8 degrees Celsius. A blistering heat wave situation prevailed in most parts of western Odisha.

Titlagarh recorded 45.7 degrees Celsius, while both Bhawanipatna and Sundargarh recorded 44.5 degrees. Capital city Bhubaneswar recorded 40.2 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department Bhubaneswar director, Sarat Chandra Sahu, said the heat wave would continue till next week.

Meanwhile, the state government received reports of 31 deaths due to sunstroke, the latest case being from Nayagarh district.

However, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P.K. Mohapatra said the government has so far examined five cases and found that the deaths were not due to sunstroke.