BHUBANESWAR: IMD on Saturday issued severe heat wave warning across Odisha from Monday. Interior parts of the state that continued to singe under scorching heat will witness further rise in mercury in the next few days, said the latest bulletin of IMD."Severe heat wave conditions are likely across the state from Monday. In interior areas temperature will further go up by two to three degrees more. The intense heat wave conditions will prevail till April 26 after which there may be some changes," said director of IMD's Bhubaneswar centre, Sarat Chandra Sahu Sahu said, the coastal region that has been getting relief from heat wave due to sea breeze, will also witness rise in day temperature. "Sea breezes blowing across the day and high levels of humidity did not allow increasing the temperature in coastal districts this year. But from Sunday the movement of sea breezes will reduce causing soaring temperature in the region."Jharsuguda was the hottest town in the state on Saturday with 45 degree Celsius, the highest temperature of the season so far was followed by 44.7 degree Celsius in Balangir. Twelve places in the state recorded temperature above 40 degree Celsius on Saturday. As many as 18 cases of heat wave related deaths have been reported so far of which two were confirmed by the state government.In the wake of prevailing heat wave conditions district collector of Sambalpur has ordered to restrict school timings between 6.30 am to 9.30 am from Friday. The headmasters of the schools have been asked to provide mid-day meal (MDM) to the students accordingly and suspend classes at 9.30 am with immediate effect.Last year, the government had shut the schools from April 12 when temperature started soaring, crossing 40 degree Celsius at many places. However, despite rising temperature the state is yet to take a call on the matter this year causing resentment among parents."Temperature is hovering around 43 to 45 degree Celsius in interior districts for last few weeks causing severe threat to students who are returning from schools at scorching heat. Unlike previous years the state government is not declaring early summer may be because the heat is not felt in coastal parts of the state especially in Bhubaneswar," rued Manas Mohanty , a businessman of Balangir.Bhubaneswar recorded 36.5 degree Celsius on Saturday while Cuttack recorded 35.6 degree Celsius.

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