According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, Odisha and West Bengal are sweltering under intense heat wave conditions with maximums between 42⁰C to 44⁰C in many parts. And further forecasts suggest no relief from the heat for at least 48 hours. Whereas on the other hand, mercury levels are still below the normal average by two to three notches in Delhi and North India, and the weather is yet to turn very hot.
Days have been heating up since Odisha’s massive victory in the Lok Sabha elections. Maximum temperature in the state for the last 48 to 72 hours has been settling around 42⁰C and beyond. While on Friday the maximum in Bhuvaneshwar recorded 42⁰C, it touched a whopping 44⁰C on Saturday. Titlagarh became the hottest city in Odisha yesterday with a maximum temperature of 44.5⁰C, making Odisha the hottest state in India.
West Bengal too has been combating the intolerable heat and unbearable humidity for the last few days. Temperatures have risen to 43⁰C in many cities and relief is nowhere in sight. On Friday, weather in in the Mishti city Kolkata turned terribly hot as the maximum temperature settled at 42⁰C. It dropped marginally on Saturday, recording 40.5⁰C. Bankura, also in West Bengal, saw the day’s maximum settle at 43⁰C (six degrees above normal) on the other hand.
“A flow of dry and warm northwesterly winds, penetrating upto West Bengal and Odisha, have led to a significant rise in the maximum temperatures. People will have to bear with the intense heat for couple of days to come. Heatstrokes could be common at this time, people should preferably be indoors”, says Samar Chaudhury of Skymet Meteorology Divison in India.
“Light to moderate rain which might occur in isolated pockets of Odisha during the next 24 to 48 hours, will also fail to bring any major relief from the boiling heat. Rain may occur only towards the later part of the day, i.e. towards evening or night, and by then the temperature would have already risen”, added Mr. Chaudhury.
