Intense heatwave continues all over Odisha with mercury rising to more than 40 degree Celsius in most parts of the state. Angul recorded 43.1 degree Celsius on Wednesday, the highest in the state, while Sambalpur and Keonjhar recorded 42.5 each, Hirakud 41.9, Bhubaneswar 41.6, Sundergarh and Sonepur 41.5 each and Chandbali 41 degree Celsius. Streets and roads wore a deserted look as most people chose to stay indoors in the afternoon to avoid sunstroke. The rising temperatures have intensified the heatwave that is adding to the people’s hardships amid electricity outages. According to Bhubaneswar Met office, the mercury is rising due to the south-west wind coming through Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh. It predicted the heatwave conditoin is likely to prevail in the next 48 hours with rain and thundershowers at some places in Odisha with windspeed from 60 to 70 kmph.