Odisha sizzles as temperature in Jharsuguda rises to 44.8 °C, severe heatwave experienced

Bhubaneswar: Severe heatwave in Odisha was experienced on Monday. Jharsuguda recorded 44.8°C which was the highest temperature recorded this season.

As of 2:30 pm today, Jharsuguda was the hottest and recorded 44.8°C, while Sambalpur recorded 42.6°C, Hirakud was 41.8° and Rourkela was 41.2°C.

The other places that recorded temperatures below 40°C were Keonjhar 37.8°C, Chandbali 37.6°C, Balasore 36.2°C and the capital city of Bhubaneswar was 35.2°C.

The local MeT department has issued the following cautions:

1. Avoid prolonged heat exposure.
2. Wear light weight, light colored, loose, cotton clothes.
3. Cover your head: use a wet cloth, hat or umbrella while going out during peak hours.
4. Drink sufficient water even if not feeling thirsty to avoid dehydration.
5. Use ORS, homemade drinks like lassi, torani (rice water), sugarcane juice, lemon water, buttermilk, etc. to re-hydrate the body.
6. Caution workers to avoid direct sunlight during the peak hours.
7. Schedule strenuous jobs to cooler times of the day.
8. Increasing the frequency and length of rest breaks for outdoor activities.
9. Pregnant workers and workers with a medical condition should be given additional attention.
10. Recognize the signs of heat stroke, heat rash or heat burns such as weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, sweating and seizures. If you feel faint or ill, see a doctor hospital immediately.
11. Farmers are advised to continue irrigation activities in sugarcane, summer maize, pulses and other crop and vegetables.
12. Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks, which dehydrates the body and avoid high-protein food and do not cat stale food.
13. Keep live-stocks in cool & shade place and arrange drinking water for them.