Forget midday; due to the extreme temperature conditions that have been occurring in many parts of Odisha, it is nearly difficult to leave one’s house after 9:30 am. Every living thing, whether they are everyday laborers, office goers, old people, or kids, is struggling to cope with the extreme heat and humidity.
People are left with little choice but to look for alternate ways to shield themselves and their loved ones from the intense hot conditions since there is no prediction for any significant rain-related activities.
“The kids aren’t in the sweltering heat because private schools offer online instruction. A Cuttack resident stated, “We regularly provide liquid diet, including fruit juices, ORS, and other items to keep the, hydrated.”
In April 2024, Odisha has already experienced a heatwave that lasted for around 17 days. Additionally, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for extreme heatwave conditions and forecasted an increase in the maximum temperature in Odisha. It is anticipated that the extreme heatwave alert would last until the second week of May.
It has nearly become intolerable for us to deal with such severe conditions, and all we can hope for is some rain or thunderstorm activity. Another neighbor stated, “Those who have air conditioners at home sleep soundly, but others must wait until the room temperature returns to normal after late night hours.
It is important to note that temperatures in Odisha have risen above 43–44 degrees, and for the past few days, multiple districts have consistently reported maximum temperatures of 40 degrees and more.
IMD reports that by 8:30 am on Monday, the highest maximum temperature of 36 degrees was recorded in two locations in Odisha: Baripada and Balasore.
Twelve locations in Odisha reported a daytime high of 43 degrees Celsius on Sunday, while 27 locations recorded a maximum temperature of 40 degrees or higher.
According to the IMD forecast released on Sunday, a combination of high solar insolation and predominantly dry Northwesterly/Westerly air would likely cause the daytime temperature in some parts of Odisha to rise by two degrees. As a result, throughout the next four to five days, the maximum temperature in several districts of Odisha is probably going to be 4 to 6°C above average.
