Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India]: Odisha recorded a maximum temperature of 38.2 degrees Celsius in the last 24 hours, indicating a rise above normal levels, according to Manorma Mohanty, the director of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Officials have forecasted dry weather conditions across the state for the next seven days, with no chances of rainfall. Despite the soaring temperatures, Puri witnessed an unusual layer of fog on Monday morning.
Speaking to media, Mohanty said, “In the last 24 hours, the highest temperature recorded in Odisha is 38.2°C…as of now, the maximum temperature is above normal. That is 2-3°C above normal…forecast for the next 7 days, most likely dry weather to prevail in Odisha, and there is no chance of rainfall activity.”
In a separate development, the Odisha government has decided to celebrate Panchayati Raj Diwas on April 24 instead of March 5, which is the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, as per an official statement.
The state BJP government announced that March 5 will be observed solely as the birth anniversary of the former Chief Minister and not as ‘Panchayati Raj Day,’ as has been the tradition for decades. Additionally, there will be no government holiday on March 5, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
Although March 5 has been annually observed as ‘Panchayati Raj Divas’ in Odisha, this year, it will be celebrated on April 24 to align with the national observance.
The CMO’s statement read, “Odisha Govt will no more observe Panchayati Raj Divas on 5th March, Which Is Biju Babu’s Birthday. Instead, Panchayati Raj Divas will be observed on April 24. The new date was approved by the CM today. March 5 is the birth anniversary of Odisha’s legendary leader, Biju Patnaik. The state BJP government has decided to celebrate March 5 as the birth anniversary of former chief minister Biju Patnaik and not as ‘Panchayati Raj Day’. Besides that, the Odisha government has also canceled the holiday on that day.”
The decision has sparked discussions across the state, with many viewing it as a significant shift in Odisha’s traditional celebrations.