BHUBANESWAR: Bhubaneswar recorded the highest ever April temperature of 45.8 degree Celsius on Monday. The state capital was the hottest place in the country, IMD sources said. With weatherman predicting harsher days ahead the state government closed all schools till April 20.

“It was the highest temperature recorded so far since 1952. The data prior to that is not available with us,” said IMD’s Bhubaneswar centre director, S C Sahu. The city had recorded highest temperature of 45 degree Celsius last time on April 23, 1985.

Capital city’s temperature was nine degrees above the normal on Monday. “As the rise of temperature in coastal region depends on sea breeze, lack of wind and clear sky conditions have been leading to the sharp rise in the temperature in the region including at Bhubaneswar,” Sahu added.

Heat wave threw normal life out of gear as Odisha remained in the grip of blistering heat for the last few days. At least 17 places in the state recorded above 42 degree Celsius on Monday.

Special relief commissioner P K Mohapatra said, “Due to severe heatwave conditions across the state all schools will remain closed till April 20. The school authorities would reschedule exams and conduct them either in the morning or evening.”

With three fresh allegations of death due to sunstroke on Monday total alleged toll due to sunstroke touched 19. Health minister on Monday asked all hospitals keep adequate amount of medicines ready with possible arrangements for treatment of sunstroke related cases.

Health minister Atanu Sabyasachi said, “24X7 control rooms are working at all district headquarters hospitals to deal with sunstroke related cases. All hospitals have been asked to keep stock of medicines, ORS. Collectors have been asked to create awareness among public on precautions to be taken during the heatwave period.”

Other places recording high temperature during the day include Chandbali (44.4 degree), Talcher ( 43.8 degree), Sundergarh ( 43.5 degree), Jharsuguda ( 43.4 degree), Bolangir ( 43.2 degree), Cuttack and Baripada ( 42.5 degree each), Malkangiri ( 42.4 degree) and Sambalpur ( 42.3 degree).

“It is only the beginning of April and temperature is breaking records every day what will happen in peak summer months. I have never seen such temperature earlier,” said Narahari Das, a septuagenarian.



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