Odisha's coal belt simmers at over 40 degrees

The heat wave condition in Odisha intensified Monday, with its coal town of Talcher recording a maximum temperature of 43.8 degrees Celsius, the day's highest in the state, officials said.

People stayed indoors in Talcher town in Angul district, about 170 km from Bhubaneswar.

Talcher is known for its coal reserves and has a number of coal mines.

Shops were closed, government officials who usually go home for lunch preferred to stay at the offices. Roads also wore a deserted look in the town and its nearby areas.

Bhabanipatna town in Kalahandi district was the second hottest place, recording a maximum temperature of 42.5 degrees Celsius, an official of the Bhubaneswar meteorological centre told IANS.

Bhubaneswar and adjoining Cuttack city were slightly cool, recording maximum temperatures of 41.6 degrees and 39.2 degrees Celsius respectively.

The situation is unlikely to change although light rain or thundershowers may occur at some places in the next two days, he said.