Temp crosses 40°C at eleven places in state

Bhubaneswar/Angul: The day temperature crossed 40°C at 11 places in Odisha on Sunday. Titilagarh recorded the highest temperature of 43.5°C in the state followed by Angul recording 42.7°C, Balangir 42.5°C and Talcher 42.3°C. Bhubaneswar also sizzled at 40.5°C increasing the un-comfortability factor for the people.
Life was hit is Talcher and its neighbouring areas as temperature is hovering around 43°C for three consecutive days on Sunday. While Talcher town has been experiencing temperatures above 43°C, the temperature in coal mine areas is two to three degrees more. The coal mine were hotter than other places due to fire and other activities, said Ranjit Patra, a local resident. On Saturday, temperature in Talcher was 43.1°C while on Friday it was 42.2°C.

The roads were deserted and vehicles plying on the road stopped due to the scorching heat. People allege burning of coal stacks, felling of trees and lack of afforestation are the main reasons for the rise in temperature in the area.

Jayashree Tiwari, an expert said, “Absorption of sun rays by the coal stacks increases the temperature in the surrounding areas. Also, movement of heavy vehicles in the coal mine areas emit large amount of carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide resulting in the temperature shooting up. Deforestation, coal fire and other industrial activities contributed to the rise in temperature, she alleged.

Keeping in view the rising temperature in Talcher, additional district magistrate of Angul, Tapan Kumar Satpathy told TOI, “Several steps have been taken to combat the heat wave. We have directed the coal mine authorities to stop work from 11 pm to 3 pm. Notices have been issued to all PSUs to tackle the drinking water situation in the area.”