Sweltering heat intensified across Odisha today as Balangir recorded 45.2 degrees Celsius to become the hottest place in the state, where sunstroke has claimed five lives so far this summer.
The entire state virtually turned into a boiling pot as the mercury breached the 45 degree mark at two places, 43 degree mark in seven places and 40 degree mark in at least 15 places.
Balangir was followed by Titlagarh, which recorded 45 deg C, while the mercury shot up to 44.8 deg C at Sambalpur, 44.1 deg C at Hirakud, 43.9 deg C at both Angul and Jharsuguda, 43.5 deg C at Bhawanipatna, the MeT office said.
Sundargarh, Phulbani and Sonepur recorded a maximum temperature of 41 deg C, while the temperature was 40.8 deg C at Chandbali and 40.2 deg C at Talcher.
Bhubaneswar and neighbouring Cuttack city recorded a maximum temperature of 40.3 deg C and 40.4 deg C respectively, the Met office said.
The heat toll in Odisha this summer stood at five - three in Angul district and one each in Balangir and Bargarh districts, according to the Special Relief Commissioner's office.
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