Odisha sees unseasonal temperature surge, raising concerns for summer

Bhubaneswar, March 1: Odisha is witnessing an unusual rise in temperatures even before the onset of summer, sparking concerns about extreme weather conditions in the coming weeks. The sudden surge in mercury levels across the state has left residents uneasy, with several cities recording temperatures significantly above normal.

Jharsuguda emerged as the hottest place on Saturday, registering a maximum temperature of 37.4°C by 2:30 PM. Other locations, including Sambalpur (36.8°C), Rourkela (36.4°C), Chandbali (34.8°C), Keonjhar (34.4°C), and Bhubaneswar (34°C), also reported high temperatures. Notably, Jharsuguda had already recorded 37.0°C on Friday, indicating a persistent warming trend.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), maximum temperatures in North Interior Odisha were 3-5°C above normal, while other regions saw a 2-3°C increase. The minimum temperatures also remained higher than usual, with Interior Odisha witnessing a rise of 3-5°C and Coastal Odisha experiencing a 2-3°C increase.

The IMD has predicted that this warming trend will continue for at least the next 4-5 days. The unexpected temperature spike has raised concerns about an early and harsher summer, prompting authorities to monitor the situation closely.