Odisha Heatwave Worsens as Schools and Colleges Close, IMD Issues Severe Heatwave Alert

Odisha heatwave conditions have become more severe as temperatures continue to stay above 40°C in many parts of the state, badly affecting normal life. The intense summer heat has forced schools and colleges to remain closed in most districts, while the state government has also stopped census work between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to protect field workers from heatstroke.

Odisha Heatwave Disrupts Normal Life

Several parts of Odisha witnessed extremely high temperatures on Thursday. Jharsuguda, the industrial hub in western Odisha, remained the hottest place in the state, recording $44°C$ by 2 p.m. Talcher in Angul district also touched $44°C$, showing how serious the heatwave has become in interior regions.

The twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar also faced harsh weather conditions. Cuttack recorded a maximum temperature of $42.1°C$, while Bhubaneswar reached $41.8°C$ by 2 p.m. With hot winds and strong sunlight during the day, people across the state are finding it difficult to carry out daily work.

According to the India Meteorological Department, Bhubaneswar, the maximum temperature has increased by around 3$°C$ to $4°C$ at one or two places over coastal and interior Odisha. The weather office has said that heatwave conditions are likely to continue in Bhubaneswar and nearby areas, where the temperature may rise to around $43°C$.

The IMD has issued a yellow warning for isolated places in Bolangir, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Keonjhar and Khordha districts. It has also warned of hot and humid conditions in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati.

Maximum Temperature Forecast for next 5 days#Odisha #hot #temperature pic.twitter.com/x7wpfg1q7i

— Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar (@mcbbsr) April 23, 2026

The weather department has further said that there is unlikely to be any major change in daytime temperature across Odisha for the next three days. However, after that, the temperature may fall by around 2$°C$ to 3$°C$, which may bring some relief to people suffering from the extreme heat.

Due to the rising day temperature, educational institutions in most districts have been closed as a safety measure. Parents, students and teachers have been asked to remain cautious during the daytime, especially during peak heat hours. The decision has come as concerns grow over heatstroke and dehydration among children.

The state government has also suspended census work between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to ensure the safety of enumerators. This step shows how seriously the administration is taking the current weather situation.

There may still be some relief in the coming days. The IMD has predicted light to moderate rain or thunderstorms in several districts of Odisha. If the forecast comes true, it could provide temporary comfort from the scorching heat and improve conditions across the state.