Orissa: Heat wave forces early summer vacation

Bhubaneshwar:
It's barely the end of April and the heat is already unbearable in Orissa.

All schools have been closed for the summer vacation, at least eight days in advance. At least 25 people died over the last three weeks due to heatstroke.

In the Talcher and Angul coal belt, temperatures are seven to eight degrees above normal at 44 degree Celsius.

The heat wave has also affected large parts of interior and coastal Orissa but the temperatures in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are now at 39 degrees.

Meanwhile, Delhi could experience its hottest day of the summer on Tuesday as the temperature is expected to soar above the 40-degree mark, according to the met department.

The temperature on Tuesday is expected to be nine degrees above normal for this time of the year. Monday was the hottest day of the season so far, as the mercury almost touched the 40-degree Celsius mark, which was eight degrees above normal.

According to the met department, there is no respite in sight with heat wave conditions expected to grip the city soon.