Heat wave toll rises to 13 in Orissa, Sundargarh records 44.9

Normal life was affected in Orissa as mercury in many places went above 40 degree Celsius, highest being recorded at Sundargarh with 44.9 degree Celsius as the death toll due to sun stroke in the state rose to 13.

The death toll due to sun stroke had gone up to 13 after three more deaths were reported since April 30, official sources said on Saturday even as unofficial sources put the number of deaths at 63.

The temperature in the entire state witnessed upward trend while the Met office predicted heat wave conditions to continue for next 48 hours.

Highest number of three sun stroke deaths each was confirmed from Khurda, Angul and Dhenkanal districts while one each death was confirmed in Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Sambalpur districts, Revenue and Disaster management department control room sources said.

As temperature in at least three places was recorded five degree celsius above normal on Saturday, a heat wave can now be declared in Orissa, director of Met office SC Sahu told PTI.

The capital city of Bhubaneswar on Saturday recorded 44 degree Celsius, highest this season and also highest in first week of May during last eight years. The humidity as high as 92 per cent added to the gruelling heat in Bhubaneswar.

The places where temperature rose above 40 degree Celsius on Saturday included Cuttack (43.3), Chandbali (42), Keonjhar (41,4), Jharsuguda (43.5), Sambalpur (41.8), Hirakud (43), Titlagarh (43), Phulbani (41), Angul (43.7), Balangir (42.8), Bhawanipatna (40.7) and Malkangiri (40.5).