MeT issues orange warning for 12 districts of Odisha for heatwave

Bhubaneswar: The regional center of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange warnings for 12 districts of Odisha for severe heatwaves. The MeT has also issued a yellow alert for five districts.

The districts including Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Bargarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Khordha, and Balangir are likely to experience a severe heatwave. On the other hand, districts including Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Nuapada have received yellow warnings for the heatwave.

At 5.30 am on Sunday, Bhubaneswar recorded a temperature of 30.6 degrees and humidity at 90 percent.

It was learned that so far, 20 cases regarding alleged death due to heatwaves have been received by the government. However, only one death case has been confirmed so far from the district of Balasore.

The other cases of deaths due to heatwaves are being inquired by the Collectors. The meeting decided that an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 50,000 will be paid to the bereaved families in case of death due to heatwaves.

As per the forecast of the IMD, hot weather conditions are likely to prevail in some districts with maximum temperature above the normal temperature by 4-7 degrees at a few places during the next three days. Thereafter, hot and discomfort weather is likely during the next 3-4 days.

People across the State have been advised to take precautionary measures like avoiding heat exposure during peak hours, staying hydrated, and caring for vulnerable persons including old, children, sick, and pregnant women.