Bhubaneswar: The searing heatwave returned to Odisha on Thursday as the day temperature soared past 40-degree Celsius in several places of the state.
Amid rising temperatures, Jharsuguda turned out to be the hottest place recording 41.4 degrees Celsius. Sambalpur and Hirakud followed closely, with the mercury touching 40 degree and 40.1 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Many other parts of the state also experienced extreme heat, with Rourkela recording 39.4 degrees Celsius, and Chandbali 38.8 degrees Celsius.
The temperature in state capital Bhubaneswar shot up to 38.5 degrees Celsius. Keonjhar was relatively cooler, recording a maximum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heatwaves in the state for three days from Thursday. Yellow warning has been sounded for Sambalpur and Boudh districts on Thursday, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Boudh, Balangir and Kalahandi on Friday and Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Boudh, Balangir, Kalahandi, Bargarh and Sundargarh on Saturday.
According to the midday bulletin, day and night temperatures may rise by 2-4°C during the next 3 days with no large change thereafter. Mercury may also touch 40°C in twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack during this period.