Bhubaneswar: Odisha is very likely to witness more number of heatwave days during summer this year, mostly in April and May, said IMD director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra on Saturday. Mohapatra’s remark on Odisha to TOI came after he released IMD’s all India hot weather season forecast from March to May and monthly forecast for March in Delh during the day.He said heatwave days and above normal temperature would be experienced all over state, even as it’s intensity would be felt more in western parts compared to coastal pockets during April and May. However, day temperature during March in the state would remain normal or below normal, the IMD DG said. He said temperature would witness a drop in the state only on possibility of thunderstorm activities.
All such forecast came with several models and international agencies also predicting a harsh summer this year in the country compared to last year. Manorama Mohanty, scientist and head of regional IMD centre in the city said there should not be any panic on summer forecast. She said actual summer would start in April and March would be treated as a transition period.IMD scientist gave such comment amid rise in day temperature that touched 30°C to 35°C or more at several places in the state during Feb. Jharsuguda on Saturday at 36.8°C recorded day’s highest maximum temperature. City recorded maximum of 35.8°C.
