At least 42 people have died of suspected heat stroke across Odisha.

Maximum number of 14 suspected sunstroke deaths have been reported from Sundergarh district, followed by 10 in Rourkela Government Hospital. Similarly, six deaths were reported from Bolangir, seven from Jharsgurda and five deaths were reported from other parts of the state.

However, the state government has confirmed only five deaths, one each in Balasore, Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur and Bolangir. Post-mortem reports in other suspected death cases are awaited.

Odisha is reeling from a severe heat wave, with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees Celsius in many parts. Titalgarh town in Bolangir district recorded the highest temperature, 46.5 degrees Celsius today.

Amid the rise in a number of sun-stroke deaths, the Odisha government on Friday issued an advisory urging people not to move out of their houses after 11am. It asked different organisations not to engage people in work outdoors between 11am to 3pm.

Head, Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar Manorama Mohanty, said : “ There will be an intense heat wave during the next three days. Western and central Odisha will be affected by it.”

PTI