Jharsuguda, April 28: Western Odisha’s industrial town Jharsuguda continued to reel under an intense heatwave, emerging as the second hottest city in the country on Monday with a scorching 45.3°C, just behind Banda, which recorded 45.6°C.
The district has been witnessing relentless heat conditions for nearly a week, severely disrupting normal life. For the past six consecutive days, the mercury has remained above 44°C — April 22 (44.6°C), April 23 (44°C), April 24 (44.8°C), April 25 (44.1°C), April 26 (44.8°C), April 27 (44.7°C), before peaking at 45.3°C on April 28.
Authorities said Jharsuguda has remained the hottest town in Odisha over the last five days, with roads wearing a deserted look during peak afternoon hours as residents prefer to stay indoors to avoid heatstroke.
“Generally, I go out for vegetable shopping around 9 am, but now the heat is unbearable even by 9.30 am. I avoid stepping out unless it’s urgent,” said Surendra Sahu, a resident of Sahapada.
Interestingly, even seasonal vendors are feeling the pinch. “People assume sales rise in summer, but due to extreme heat, customers are not coming out. Our business has dropped,” said a lassi vendor at Kishan Chowk.
Farmers, too, have altered their routine. “Earlier, I worked from 5 am, but now I start by 6 am and finish before 11 am to escape the heat,” said Sanyasi, a farmer from Hirma.
Hotel owners reported a dip in lunchtime footfall. “Most customers prefer light food like pakhala, but overall footfall has reduced drastically during afternoons,” said Anil Sahu, who runs a hotel in Badmal.
Street vendors echoed similar concerns. “After 12 noon, there are hardly any customers. I shut shop in the afternoon and resume only after 4 pm,” said Salegram Sahu.
Notably, Jharsuguda had recorded 46.2°C on April 22 last year (2025), making it the hottest city in the country on that day as well — underlining a recurring pattern of extreme summer temperatures in the region.
With no immediate respite in sight, residents continue to struggle as the heatwave tightens its grip across the district.
