Odisha is experiencing extreme heat as summer grips large areas of the nation. On Thursday, the state's daytime temperature reached a record-high 43.5 degrees Celsius.
"Baripada recorded 43.5°C, which is the highest temperature recorded in Odisha this month," Umashankar Das, a senior scientist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), said. "We have issued a heatwave warning, especially for April 14 and 15. Hot weather conditions in Odisha may continue over the next the days," the IMD senior scientist said. Due to the ongoing heatwave conditions, we have advised the citizens to take precautionary measures," he added.
The state capital of Bhubaneshwar had a high daytime temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius on April 10. The maximum temperature in the city is anticipated to increase over the next few days due to a major drop in thunderstorm activity, according to the meteorological department.
"Day temperature is expected to increase 2-3 degrees Celsius in next two days, and after that, it will likely stabilise," In light of the hot and humid weather, it is also suggested that residents of the state capital wear loose fitting clothing and carry water bottles when going outside.
The Odisha government has ordered all Anganwadi facilities and schools, both government and private, up to class 10, to close starting on Wednesday due to the current heatwave conditions in the state. Up until April 16, both schools and Anganwadi facilities will be closed.
The government said in a press statement that "Anganwadi centres and all schools, both govt and private up to class 10 will remain closed from Wednesday until April 16 due to the intense heat wave condition." The temperature in the state has been rising over the last few days, and the Met Department has also issued a heatwave warning.
The announcement stated that the chief minister has instructed the administration, in particular the panchayat raj and drinking water department, housing and urban development department, and electricity department, to begin preparation for the situation.
Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik chaired a review meeting with senior officers on the ongoing heatwave condition. He also assessed the preparedness of the state's healthcare units to deal with the prevailing weather conditions, the release stated further.
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