Sambalpur now the hottest city in India

The Statesman, May 11, 2009

BHUBANESWAR, May 10: Sambalpur turned into a furnace today becoming the hottest city of the country with mercury touching 45.6 degree Celsius. Heat wave conditions to prevail across the western parts of Orissa with most districts recording over 44 degree Celsius.
While Sambalpur topped the chart neighbouring Jharsuguda was just a few points less at 45.3 degree Celsius, Sundergarh district 44.7, Kalahandi 43.7 degree Celsius.
Chandbali, Keonjhar and Malkangiri were all above 41 degree Celsius while the state capital Bhubaneswar was hot at 40.6 degree Celsius today.
With little respite from the searing heat in state, four more people died today taking the sunstroke death toll to 124 in the state.
Three casualties were reported from Khurda district and one from the coastal Jagatsinghpur today, official sources said.
While the state government confirmed 31 deaths due to sunstroke, the remaining casualties were being examined.
Meanwhile, people in parts of coastal Orissa got some relief as the region experienced thunder shower and squall in the evening, bringing the mercury level down marginally, sources said.
Khurda reported the highest number of 16 sun stroke deaths followed by Dhenkanal with 13 and Jajpur with 12 as 21 of the state's 30 districts reported sunstroke deaths during this summer, they said.
The state capital reeled under gruelling heat as the temperature stood at 40.6 degrees Celsius with maximum humidity level touching 91 per cent and minimum 47 per cent, the sources added.