Another sunstroke death in Odisha; temp normal in parts of north India

Heatwave conditions intensified in Odisha where one person died due to sunstroke on Tuesday but maximum temperatures stayed within normal limits in some northern states while heavy rainfall caused landslides in Mizoram.

Dry weather conditions continued in the national capital with the Safdarjung observatory, whose recording is considered official for the city, registering a maximum temperature of 38.3 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year. Blistering heat swept across Odisha with Titlagarh being the hottest place at 45.5 degrees Celsius. The sunstroke toll also climbed to three following a death reported from Balangir district, the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) said.

Earlier, two sunstroke deaths had been reported in the state, one each in Bargarh and Angul districts, it said adding, 15 cases of suspected sun-stroke deaths reported from different areas are being investigated.

The mercury breached the 43-degree mark in eight towns and the 40-degree mark in at least 17 places.

Angul recorded a maximum temperature of 44.7 degrees Celsius, while it was 44.4 degrees Celsius in Talcher, 44 degrees Celsius in Sundargarh, 43.8 degrees Celsius in Bhawanipatna and 43.6 degrees Celsius in Hirakud.

The searing heat did not spare the coastal region also as the temperature shot up in many places, including Chandbali where the mercury touched 41.2 degrees Celsius.

Light to moderate rainfall occurred at isolated places in Rajasthan while Churu was the hottest place in the state recording a maximum temperature of 41.1 degrees Celsius.

Kota registered a maximum temperature of 39.8 degrees Celsius while the mercury was below the 39-degree mark at other stations, the MeT department said.