Bhubaneswar, April 19: Odisha is anticipated to experience some respite from the scorching heatwave as the India Meteorological Department forecasts thunderstorm activity starting Saturday. Despite orange and yellow heatwave warnings, daytime temperatures are expected to persist at 40°C or above across the state, with certain districts seeing levels 3-5°C higher than normal for the next 2-3 days. This is attributed to prevailing dry air from the northwest/west and intense solar radiation, as per meteorological observations.

Residents are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing outdoors between 11 am and 3 pm, the hottest hours of the day.

As of 2:30 pm on Friday, temperatures had surpassed 40°C at six locations in Odisha. Jharsuguda recorded the highest temperature at 43.8°C, followed by Sambalpur (42.4°C), Keonjhar (42.2°C), Chandbali (42.2°C), Hirakud (42°C), Rourkela (41.8°C), and Bhubaneswar (41.4°C). Despite the prevailing heatwave conditions, Odisha has recorded its first sunstroke-related fatality of the year, as reported by the Directorate of Public Health.

Dr. Niranjan Mishra, the Public Health Director, disclosed that one individual succumbed to heatstroke in Balasore district.

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