Bhubaneswar/UNI: An intense heat wave condition sweeping across Odisha with the mercury hovering over 40 degrees Celsius at 14 places in the state, hit normal life in many places.

The latest weather bulletin issued by the IMD said the industrial town of Jharsuguda in Western Odisha recorded the highest day temperature of 43 degrees Celsius followed by Baripada (42.5) and Sambalpur (42).

The other places in the state which recorded over 40 degrees Celsius on Wednesday are Boudh (41.6), Balangir and Titlagarh (41.2 each), Bhadrak, Sundargarh and Sonepur (41), Hirakud(40.7), Rourkela (40.6) and Chandbali (40.3).

Met sources said the maximum temperatures observed an appreciable rise at one or two places over the districts of south coastal Odisha and north interior Odisha.

The heat wave conditions are likely to prevail in several districts of Odisha for the next five days.

The Odisha government had already closed all schools, both private and government, till April 16 next in view of the rising day temperature and the gruelling heat wave condition prevailing in most parts of the state.

The maximum day temperature is very likely to gradually rise further by 2- 3 degree Celsius at many places over the districts of Odisha during the next 2 days

The Maximum day temperature is likely to be more than 40 degrees Celsius and above normal by 3-5 degree Celsius at a few places over the districts of Odisha during the next 4 days.

Met sources said the day temperature is very likely to rise further by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius over the districts of interior Odisha during the next 4 days at many places due to Northwesterly and Westerly dry air and high solar insolation.

Meanwhile, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has issued an advisory to the people to take precautionary measures in view of the heat wave.

(With UNI inputs)