Bhubaneswar, May 23: Bhubaneswar experienced a sweltering Friday as the city’s early morning temperature rose to 31.4°C at 5:30 a.m., with humidity at 84% and a heat index of 44°C. By late morning around 11:30 a.m., mercury soared past 35°C. Although temperatures were slightly lower than the peak, the combination of heat and humidity left residents feeling uncomfortable. Frequent thunderstorms intensified the problem by causing repeated power outages, further aggravating the heat.

The Odisha Meteorological Department reported a gradual rise in morning temperatures over the past few days: 30°C on the 19th and 20th, 29.6°C on the 21st, and 31.4°C today. While Friday was slightly cooler than Thursday, the heat and accompanying power cuts made the day unpleasant.

The electricity disruptions have affected at least 15 localities across the city. In Dhauli, Botanda, and Mahavir Nagar, power lines tripped as early as 9 a.m., leaving 60–70 households without electricity. Residents repeatedly complained, but line repairs were delayed due to absentee officials. Similar outages were reported in Barang, Tarinibihar, and Raghunathpur areas late at night, leaving many in the dark for hours.

Residents voiced their frustration over the situation. Paridhi Pattanaik said, “The combination of heat and power cuts is unbearable. It feels like the city is turning into an oven. Working from home has become a real challenge.” Prerna Mishra added, “Frequent outages are affecting daily life and businesses. Authorities need to act faster to prevent such prolonged disruptions.”

Repeated load shedding and technical issues have left residents frustrated, with some forced to approach electricity offices to register complaints. Officials explained that high demand due to the heat is causing voltage fluctuations, but all repair teams are on alert to restore power as quickly as possible.