Bhubaneswar: Heat wave conditions continued in interior Odisha with Bhawanipatna recording the highest temperature at 46.5 degree Celsius on Thursday, even as the death toll due to sun stroke increased to 12 with a fresh case being reported from Kendrapara district.
Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters town of the tribal dominated Kalahandi district recorded 46.5 degree C followed by Sambalpur 45.5, Hirakud 45.4, Jharsuguda 44.7, Balangir and Titlagarh 44.5 each and Sundergarh with 44 deg C.
While 13 places in the state recorded above 40 degrees C, the state capital Bhubaneswar experienced a temperature of 40 deg C. The relative humidity, which caused profuse sweating, was recorded at 89 per cent in the state capital.
The state's Special Relief Commissioner's (SRC) office received reports of 89 deaths allegedly due to sun stroke.
"However, 12 deaths are so far confirmed due to heat related incidents, while 12 other deaths were found from other reasons. 66 other cases are under investigation by the district collectors," a statement issued by the SRC said.
Of the 12 confirmed sun stoke deaths, four cases came from the coastal Kendrapara district followed by two from the tribal dominated Rayagada district while the districts of Angul, Balasore, Balngir, Bargarh, Cuttack and Ganjam confirmed one death each.
The local Met office has issued a warning of possible heat wave conditions at some places in interior Odisha in the coming days.
