Bhubaneswar: The death toll due to sweltering heat in Orissa rose to 19 today as the temperature remained above 42 degrees Celsius in many places despite substantial fall in the mercury level in the state capital and adjoining areas.

The death toll due to sun stroke, which stood at 15 till yesterday, mounted to 19 with the searing heat claiming four more lives, one each in Puri, Khurda, Jajpur and Sambalpur districts, official sources said.

There were four deaths in Khurda district, followed by three each in Angul and Dhenkanal districts, two each in Jagatsinghpur, Sambalpur, Jajpur and Puri and one in Mayurbhanj district, they said.

Temperature in Bhubaneswar, which had touched 44 degrees on Saturday fell to 38.3 degrees Celsius today, bringing considerable relief to the people.

Sundergarh and nearby areas were the hottest places in the state recording a maximum of 45 degree Celsius, while maximum temperature in Titlagarh was 44.1 degree and 43.8 at Jharsuguda.

The met office here has forecast rain and thundershowers at some places and squall at other parts of the state during the next 48 hours.

Source : PTI