Heat Shifts Goal Post From West To East, Searing Temperatures Over Odisha

West Rajasthan and Gujarat were the hottest regions until last week. Border posts of Rajasthan and the arid regions of Gujarat were recording blistering temperatures. The extreme heat has now shifted to Odisha and the subdivision of Vidarbha. The highest temperature in the country was registered at Jharsuguda. The city recorded the season’s high of 46.2°C, a jump of one degree from the previous day’s high of 45.4°C.

The state of Odisha has a long coastline of about 500 km. Diverse weather conditions are prevailing over coastal Odisha and the hinterland of the state. While the interiors of Odisha are reeling under scorching heat, the coastline has been thronged by warm and sultry conditions. The mercury levels are varying between 43° and 46°C over deep inland stations. The coastal stations with moderate temperatures of 34°–35°C have been subjected to high humidity levels.

The contrasting temperatures are likely to last for the next about four days. Heat wave conditions are expected over the state, contiguous to Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. Coastal stations are likely to observe muggy conditions during this period. Many stations of the state soared with temperatures in the mid-40s.

In the past 24 hours, cities recording temperatures in excess of 40°C include:

Jharsuguda-46.2°C

Sambalpur-44.6°C

Titlagarh-44°C

Sundargarh-43.8°C

Bolangir-43.2°C

Rourkela-43°C

Bhabanipatna-43°C.

All temperatures were 3°-5°C above the normal, amounting to heat wave conditions in pockets. The coastline temperatures include :

Paradip-34.2°C

Gopalpur-32.6°C

Puri-34.8°C

Balasore-35.5°C.  

Differential heating of the landmass has triggered oppressive weather conditions over most parts of the state.

There is a cyclonic circulation over Bihar in the lower levels. A trough line is extending from Chhattisgarh to down south up to Tamil Nadu. The seasonal anticyclone over the Bay of Bengal has been pushed to deeper parts of the sea. The incursion of moist winds from the Bay of Bengal has been arrested and the interiors of the state are being swept by hot and dry winds. These conditions will persist till 26th April. Later, pre-monsoon activity with fairly widespread thunderstorms is expected to lash most parts of the state and adjoining parts.

This spell of weather activity will last for nearly one week. Heat wave conditions will abate, making way for typical pre-monsoonal weather between 27th April till the last day of April. Stormy conditions are likely to roll over to the starting week of May as well.