Bhubaneswar: Jharsuguda town on Friday recorded 44.8°C, the hottest in the state as there was no relief from the intense heat in this pocket, said an official report from the IMD. On Wednesday, the industrial town was hottest in the country at 44.6°C. Friday’s record temperature in industrial town was 3.6°C more compared to normal.IMD report said with mercury hovering at 40°C to over 43°C at 17 more places, Titlagarh town at 44°C recorded day’s second highest temperature in the state. Mercury in coastal pockets, compared to last two days trend, however saw slight relief amid hot and humid condition. Twin cities, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack were sizzling at 39.4°C and 38.4°C respectively, after they recorded sharp rise in last two days.IMD forecast a similar trend of mercury level with no large change would continue for one or two more days.Thereafter, day temperature would witness a drop by 2°C to 4°C. This would be amid warning of thunderstorm activities to continue in several districts till the month-end.On Saturday, hot and humid condition would continue in 13 coastal districts. These are Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati. Sanjeev Dwivedi, a scientist of IMD center in the city said the prevailing wind pattern continued to support rise in mercury level in the state.With heatwave condition saw no relief at several places across the state, affecting lives, the government has geared up its preparations to tackle the situation. The office of the special relief commissioner (SRC) has issued necessary directions to collectors of all districts.
