Bhubaneswar, May 1: Odisha experienced a welcome relief from the scorching heat on Friday afternoon, with temperatures dipping across several districts. While many areas saw a decrease in heat, western districts remained hotter than coastal regions, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) report at 2:30 PM.
Rourkela was the hottest spot in the state, recording a temperature of 35.0°C. Jharsuguda followed at 34.2°C, and Keonjhar registered 33.6°C. Other western towns like Sambalpur (33.0°C) and Hirakud (33.2°C) also recorded high temperatures, reinforcing the trend of increased heat in the interior regions.
In contrast, coastal areas enjoyed cooler conditions, aided by the sea breeze. Gopalpur reported the lowest temperature at 29.8°C, with Paradip at 30.0°C. Bhubaneswar stood at 31.6°C, just above Balasore (31.2°C) and Puri (31.4°C), while Chandbali was recorded at 32.2°C.
Humidity levels were notably higher along the coast, with Gopalpur experiencing the highest relative humidity at 71%. Bhubaneswar, Balasore, and Paradip had a humidity level of 65%. In contrast, inland areas like Rourkela (40%), Jharsuguda, and Keonjhar (46%) saw relatively dry conditions.
Meteorologists have warned that the combination of rising temperatures in the western districts and elevated humidity along the coast may lead to discomfort, particularly during the afternoon. While no extreme weather warnings have been issued, residents are advised to take precautions to protect themselves from heat exposure.
