Heatwave affects normal life in Odisha as mercury touches 44

Normal life in Odisha's coastal region was hit with residents remaining indoors as 16 places recorded above 40 degree Celsius with Titlagarh registering the highest of 44.2 degree Celsius.
The places which recorded temperature above 42 degree C were Bhubaneswar, Keonjhargarh, Bhawanipatna, Balangir, Titlagarh, Talcher and Dhenkanal.
The mercury level touched 42.6 degree C in the state capital of Bhubaneswar.
Places including Cuttack, Balasore, Chandbali, Angul, Jharsuguda, Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Hirakud and Sonepur recorded temperatures between 40 degree C and 42 degree C. while other seven towns registered over 42 degree C.
The local met office warned that the heatwave condition was likely to prevail over some parts of the state for the next 48 hours.

With temperatures rising along with high humidity in coastal districts, people preferred to remain indoors as the state government so far confirmed 17 sunstroke deaths against 52 complaints received.
Though schools and colleges were closed for the summer vacation, market places, bus stands and other normally busy places wore a deserted look in the state capital because of the gruelling heat.