Orissa braces itself for another spell of heat wave

However, the metereological department here did not warn of heatwave conditions sweeping the state. The state government, on the other hand, have come out with advertisements in all the local dailies apprehending a scorching heat in the coming days.

The government has asked the people to take all possible precautions and measures to avoid the sun and appealed to the people to remain indoors during the peak period.

The state revenue department has asked the district collectors to report immediately about the death of as many as 17 people due to sun stroke at various places in the past few days as reported in newspapers. So far only one death has been officially confirmed — by the Mayurbhanj collector — while others are yet to submit their reports.

All district collectors have been asked to submit a report on the heat wave condition and casualty, if any, in their respective areas to the State control room. Met sources said that in Titlagarh town, which had recorded more than 50 degree Celsius during 1998, the day temperature touched 44.5 degree Celsius on April 6. Similarly, the industrial town of Jharsugura recorded the highest day temperature of 43.8 degree Celsius on April 9.

In the industrial town of Angul, the mercury has touched 43 degree Celsius and was hovering around that mark. The state capital of Bhubaneswar recorded over 41 degree during the past few days.

Several remote areas in Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Bolangir and Sonepur districts have recorded a high day temperature during the past few days. Official sources said several places in the state had shown day temperature more than normal.

Normal life has been affected at some places in western Orissa and the streets wore a deserted look during the day as people preferred to remain indoors.