Scorching Heat Wave Conditions Paralyse Normal Life In Many Places of Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Scorching Heat wave and Hot-humid weather conditions continue to paralyse normal life in the state. The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted that the situation is likely to continue during the next two to three days. The maximum temperature (Day Temperature) is likely to be above normal by 3-5°C at many places over the districts of interior Odisha during next 2 to 3 days, the IMD has said. It has also issued Heat Wave orange warning to Boudh, Sonepur, Kandhamal, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bolangir districts.

Meanwhile, two more persons died at the Rourkela Government Hospital taking the total number of unnatural deaths reported from the hospital to twelve. There have been 14 cases of unnatural deaths reported from Sundargarh district yesterday. Speaking to media, the Superintendent of RGH has said that “It has not been established that they have died of heatstroke. Most of them were received dead in the hospital. That has happened for unknown reasons. We are unable to give their history.”

The Special Relief Commissioner, Government of Odisha has asked all the district collectors to take precautionary measures as the IMD has predicted heat wave conditions in several districts of the State. In a letter to all the collectors, SRC Satyabrata Sahu said the maximum day temperature would be more than 40 degrees Celsius at many places in the interior districts. The maximum temperature is likely to be above normal by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius at a few districts in coastal Odisha.

As hot and high humid conditions will prevail over coastal Odisha during this week, the SRC instructed the collectors to review the basic health facilities at the community health centres, primary healthcare centres, sub-divisional and district headquarters hospitals to tackle heat-related problems. Sahu has also advised the Health department to review the engagement of doctors and health workers working at the grassroots level.

Yesterday, Jharsuguda recorded a maximum temperature of 47 degrees – the season’s highest temperature thus far in the State and as many as nine towns recorded temperatures over 44 degrees Celsius.