Scorching heat in western Odisha, more rains in coastal area

Scorching heat persisted in many parts of Odisha, mainly in its western region, while the mercury dropped marginally in the coastal belt following rains and prediction of more showers under the impact of Cyclone Maarutha.
The mercury breached the 40-degree mark in at least 10 places in the state and Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district became the hottest place in the state at 43.5 degree celsius, the Met office here said.
Balangir recorded a maximum temperature of 43 degree celsius, followed by 42.8 degrees in Malkangiri, 42.6 degrees at Titlagarh town and 41 degrees in Sundargarh, it said.
Jharsuguda recorded 40.8 degrees, while the maximum temperature was 40.6 degrees in Sonepur, 40.4 degrees in Hirakud, 40.3 degree celsius at Sambalpur and 40.1 degree celsius at Angul, it said.

Following rains and thunderwhower last night, the maximum temperature in Bhubaneswar dropped to 34.3 degrees from 35.2 degrees, while it was 34 degrees in neighbouring Cuttack city, compared to 35 degree celsius yesterday.
Further relief is, however, likely in some areas as the weatherman predicted rain or thundershower coupled with gusty wind over coastal Odisha and adjoining interior areas of Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Angul, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, Rayagada and Kalahandi during the next 24 hours under the impact of Cyclone Maarutha.
Two sunstroke deaths have so far been reported in the state this summer - one from Bargarh and another from Angul district, according to the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).