Bhubaneswar, (Orissa Today), May 29: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in Odisha until May 31. Orange warnings have been issued for Boudh, Sonepur, Kandhamal, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, and Balangir districts until May 30. Additionally, the possibility of heatwave conditions exists in Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Bargarh, Deogarh, Nuapada, Kalahandi, and Angul districts during this period.
Expectations of warm night conditions loom over Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Balangir, Kalahandi, Nuapada, and Bargarh. Furthermore, hot and humid weather conditions may prevail in Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Khurda, Nayagarh, Puri, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts until May 30.
The IMD attributes the prevailing dry conditions in the state and the strengthening of northwesterly dry winds as reasons for the anticipated temperature rise, expected to be 3-5°C above normal in many interior areas of Odisha over the next 2 to 3 days. Interior areas may experience temperatures ranging between 43-45°C, with isolated severe heatwave conditions. Coastal Odisha may also experience hot and humid conditions due to the absence of significant synoptic situations and high humidity levels in the lower atmosphere over the next 3 days.
People have been advised to take precautionary measures during peak daytime hours between 11 am and 3 pm, when temperatures are expected to soar up to 46°C over the next 3 days. On May 31, a yellow warning for heatwave has been issued for one or two places in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, and Kalahandi.
In light of the forecast, the Special Relief Commission has instructed the health secretary to assess the facilities at hospitals across the state to handle cases related to heat-related illnesses.
