Odisha heatwave intense as mercury touches 44 degree Celsius

​Bhubaneswar: The unrelenting heat wave, which has already claimed over 180 lives this year, continues to sweep across Odisha, with mercury touching as high as 44.2 degree Celsius in Talcher yesterday.

Second highest temperature was recorded in Bolangir, with 43.5 degrees, followed by Titilagarh, which has consistently been recording temperatures over 40 degrees for over a fortnight now.

According to reports, at least 15 places of the state recorded temperature above 40 degree Celcius on Friday.

Meanwhile, in a relief to the residents reeling under scorching sun, the MeT has predicted rain in most parts of the state in the next 48 hours on the basis of a low pressure area formed over south-west Bay of Bengal.