IMD predicts relief: Heatwave set to subside in Odisha starting May 6

Bhubaneswar, (Orissa Today), May 2: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted a relief from the heatwave gripping Odisha, starting from May 6. Coastal regions are expected to experience a decline in extreme temperatures within two days, with a projected drop of 3-4°C across the state following the next three days, as per the midday bulletin.

Orange heatwave warnings were issued for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Angul, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Boudh, Balangir, and Deogarh districts, while yellow warnings were in place for Nayagarh, Dhenkanal, Nuapada, Sonepur, and Kalahandi.

Despite recent respite, Bhubaneswar recorded a temperature of 41.6°C by early afternoon, following a brief period below 40°C after seventeen consecutive days. Sambalpur registered the highest temperature at 42.5°C, trailed by Jharsuguda (42.1°C), Hirakud (41.8°C), Bhubaneswar (41.6°C), Rourkela (40.6°C), and Balasore (39.8°C). The heatwave warning remains active for two more days, with the likelihood of thunderstorms and lightning in some areas.

On May 6, IMD anticipates thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (reaching 40-50 kmph) in several districts including Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar. Similar conditions are expected to persist in select areas like Kandhamal, Boudh, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Cuttack, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balangir, and Kalahandi in the following 24 hours, accompanied by gusts of 30-40 kmph in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, and Gajapati.