Rain cools state, but temp to rise again

Bhubaneswar/ Berhampur: Several parts of Odisha witnessed a drop in temperature on Saturday following the Friday shower. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), however, has forecast a rise in temperature in the next couple of days.
"It is a temporary relief as the mercury will soar to 44 degree Celsius in most parts of the state on Sunday. There are chances of rain and thundersquall from May 3," said director of IMD, Bhubaneswar, Sarat Chandra Sahu.
The state has been reeling under severe heatwave conditions for the past one month. The government has confirmed 13 sunstroke deaths as against 139 complaints.
Overcast sky and cool breeze made the weekend pleasant for city denizen. The temperature scale read 39.9 degree Celsius. "The weather was so pleasant that I decided to go out with friends for lunch, which was long overdue. But around 4pm, the clouds cleared and it felt like noon," said Maitree Dash, a college student.
On Saturday, Sonepur recorded the highest temperature of 44 degree Celsius followed by Sundargarh (41 degree Celsius), Talcher (40.8 degree Celsius) and Bhawanipatna (40.5 degree Celsius). As many as 13 places had registered above 40 degree Celsius the previous day.
On Friday, 10 persons were killed in lightning strikes. While four cases were reported from Ganjam, two were from Balasore and one each from Bhadrak and Dhenkanal.
The families of the deceased will be provided compensation of Rs 4 lakh in accordance with the government guidelines, said an officer of the revenue department. People, who lost their cattle in lightning strikes, would also be compensated, the officer added.
Rain accompanied by thundersquall lashed most parts of the state with Cuttack recording the highest of 13 mm rainfall followed by Angul (12.2 mm), Hirakud (11.2 mm), Sambalpur (9.6 mm), Titlagarh (7.2 mm) and Bhubaneswar (1.7 mm).