Bhubaneswar experienced its highest temperature of the season on Thursday, reaching 42.2 degrees Celsius, with the real feel index soaring to a blistering 52 degrees Celsius by mid-afternoon. The real feel, which measures how heat is perceived on the skin, was exacerbated by a high humidity level of 76 percent recorded at 8:30 am. However, the city received much-needed relief in the evening as a thundershower swept through, bringing the humidity down to 60 percent by 5:30 pm.
Heatwave Conditions Grip the City
The intense heat during the day forced streets to empty as residents stayed indoors. Hot winds and a scorching sun made stepping outside nearly unbearable. People felt the heat even while riding motorcycles or standing under the shade of trees and rest sheds, as the heatwave swept through the city. Similar conditions prevailed across other parts of Odisha, with at least 25 places recording maximum temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.
Chintamani Pradhan, a resident of Nayapalli, described his experience: “I felt like my face was burning while returning from Cuttack to Bhubaneswar in the afternoon.”
Evening Thundershowers Bring Respite
The evening thundershower brought down the temperature slightly, allowing residents to gather at roadside tea shops, known locally as 'chai khatis', to enjoy the cooler weather.
According to Manorama Mohanty, Director of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhubaneswar, many places across the state, including the capital, recorded maximum temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. Similar conditions are expected to persist at various locations until May 25.
IMD Issues Warnings
The IMD Bhubaneswar stated that maximum temperatures are at least 3 degrees Celsius above normal, coupled with above-normal relative humidity. An orange warning has been issued for four districts—Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Balangir, and Nayagarh—for Friday, where heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are very likely at isolated places.
Additionally, a yellow warning has been issued for Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Bargarh, Angul, Sonepur, Boudh, and Sundargarh districts, where heatwave conditions are very likely at isolated places. “Warm night conditions are very likely to prevail at isolated places over the districts of Sambalpur and Balangir on Friday,” Mohanty added.
Hot and Humid Conditions Ahead
Hot and humid conditions are very likely to prevail at isolated places over the districts of Balasore, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, and Khurda in the next 24 hours.
Residents are advised to take precautions against the heatwave, including staying hydrated, avoiding direct sun exposure during peak hours, and checking on vulnerable individuals. Authorities have also issued guidelines for schools and workplaces to ensure safety during the extreme weather.
