Odisha continues to reel under intense summer heat with as many as 11 cities across the state recording temperatures above the 40-degree Celsius mark on Sunday, intensifying concerns over the ongoing heatwave conditions. 

With soaring daytime temperatures affecting normal life in several districts, western and interior parts of the state remained the worst affected.

According to reports by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Boudh emerged as the hottest place in Odisha, recording a scorching 42.9 degrees Celsius. The severe heat conditions made the district one of the most affected regions as residents struggled to cope with the sweltering weather.

Close behind, Angul and Sonapur also experienced extreme temperatures, each recording 42.1 degrees Celsius. While Jharsuguda witnessed 41.4 degrees Celsius, both Talcher and Sambalpur experienced 41 degrees Celsius.

Also Read: IMD issues 5-day thunderstorm alert with yellow warning for several Odisha districts

Several other locations also witnessed temperatures above the 40-degree mark. Hirakud recorded 40.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Nayagarh at 40.4 degrees Celsius and Bolangir at 40.2 degrees Celsius. Khordha and Titlagarh also joined the list of heat-hit areas with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the twin cities witnessed comparatively lower temperatures, although humidity and hot conditions continued to cause discomfort. Bhubaneswar recorded 37.4 degrees Celsius, while Cuttack registered 37.6 degrees Celsius.

The prevailing heatwave conditions have significantly impacted daily life, with people avoiding outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours. Roads and public spaces in several towns appeared less crowded as residents preferred staying indoors to escape the scorching sun.

Meanwhile, IMD has issued a five-day weather outlook for Odisha, forecasting a spell of light to moderate rain and thunderstorms across several parts of the state from May 17-21. Along with the general forecast, the weather office has also issued a Yellow Warning for multiple districts, cautioning about thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph, mainly during afternoon and evening hours.