Odisha sizzling in summer heat, Balangir hottest

Bhubaneswar: Entire Odisha sizzled today as the blistering heat intensified and Balangir recorded 46.2 degree celsius to remain the hottest place in the state, where five persons have died so far due to sunstroke so far.

The state, particularly western Odisha, virtually turned into a boiling cauldron as the mercury breached the 45 degree celsius mark at six places, 43 degree mark in ten places and 40 degree mark in at least 16 places, the met office here said.

Balangir was followed by Jharsuguda, which recorded 46 degree celsius, while the mercury shot up to 45.8 degree at Hirakud, 45.7 degree at Sambalpur, 45.3 degree at Titlagarh, 45 degree at Sonepur, 44.7 degree at Angul and 44.2 degree celsius at Bhawanipatna, it said.

Malkangiri recorded a maximum temperature of 43.2 degree, while the temperature was 43 degree at Sundargarh, 42.2 degree at Phulbani, 41.8 degree at Talcher, 41 degree at Chandbali and 40.8 degree at Keonjhargarh.

Bhubaneswar and neighbouring Cuttack city recorded a maximum temperature of 40.2 deg C and 40 deg C respectively, the met office said.

The heat toll in Odisha this summer stood at five - three in Angul district and one each in Balangir and Bargarh districts, according to the Special Relief Commissioner's office.