On Wednesday, life in western Odisha was significantly disrupted as a heatwave swept through ten districts, with Jharsuguda recording the highest temperature in the state at a sweltering 45.4 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD reported that 16 locations across Odisha, primarily in the western region, experienced temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius or higher.

In light of the extreme weather, the state government announced summer vacations for all government and private schools starting Wednesday.

Jharsuguda was noted as the third hottest location in India, following Brahmapuri (45.6°C) and Chandrapur (45.5°C) in Maharashtra, as per IMD data.

Following Jharsuguda, other hot spots included Titlagarh at 44°C, Sambalpur and Boudh at 43.8°C each, Bolangir at 43.7°C, and Sundergarh and Hirakud at 43.4°C each. Additional areas like Sonepur (43.2°C), Angul (42.9°C), Bhawanipatna (42.5°C), Talcher and Rourkela (42.4°C), Bargarh (42.2°C), Nuapada (42°C), Paralakhemundi (41°C), and Baripada (40.2°C) also recorded high temperatures.

The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack reported temperatures of 37.6 degrees each.

Residents in the ten districts of western Odisha, including Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sundergarh, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Sonepur, and Angul, largely stayed indoors to escape the oppressive heat.

The IMD's bulletin indicated that severe heatwave conditions, along with hot and humid nights, are expected to persist until April 26.

Forecasters predict that daytime temperatures could reach 43 degrees Celsius in Jharsuguda, Angul, Sambalpur, Sundergarh, Kalahandi, Balangir, Sonepur, Boudh, and Bargarh.

For Thursday, the IMD has issued an Orange Alert (Be Prepared) for severe heatwave conditions in Jharsuguda, while heatwave conditions are anticipated in Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Boudh, Bolangir, and Bargarh.

Additionally, warm nights are expected in Sambalpur, Sundergarh, and Balangir, with low-intensity heatwave conditions possible in Kalahandi, Nuapada, Deogarh, and Angul.

Several coastal and central districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Keonjhar, and Dhenkanal, will also experience hot and humid weather, as noted by the IMD.