India, Feb. 3 -- Odisha is grappling with unusually warm temperatures early in February with temperatures soaring above 36 degrees Celsius in the first two days of the month, a period typically marked by mild winter weather.

On Sunday (February 2), Bolangir recorded the state's highest temperature this year at 36.7 degrees Celsius, while Titilagarh (36 degree C), Jharsuguda (35.6 degree C), and Bhubaneswar (34.4 degree C) also saw unusually high mercury levels.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the sudden rise to clear skies and southwesterly winds, which trap heat. Further, the absence of winter moisture and prolonged dry spells have intensified the conditions.

The weather office also predicted the prolonged heat to...