June 10, 2012 – INDIA – An earthquake measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale hit the western Odisha region covering Balangir, Nuapada and Kalahandi on Saturday. According to the Bhuabneswar Regional Meteorological Office, “The earthquake of slight intensity having its magnitude at 3.9 on the Richter scale occurred at 1.45 pm and the epicentre of the earthquake was located at latitude 20.1 degree North and longitude 82.9 degree East in Kalahandi district.” The people of the three districts tossing under the impact of continued heat-wave conditions felt the tremor that caused vertical cracks in the buildings at some places but there were no reports of any loss of life and property, official sources said. The earthquake in Kalahandi district was felt in parts of Bhawanipatna town, Kesinga, Junagarh, Dharmagarh, Golamunda and other areas, said an official of the local Met office in Bhawanipatna. The people of the affected districts who felt the tremor for about 10-15 seconds along with a mild rumbling under earth were panicked and came out of their houses fearing mishap. Meanwhile, with the pre-monsoon rains in some coastal, southern and northern areas, there was remarkable slide in the day’s temperature by at least four degrees Celsius on Saturday in the costal and southern districts. However, there was no respite from the intense heat-wave conditions in western Odisha districts as the sunstroke deaths in the State rose to 32 officially against unofficial reports that heat-wave deaths had touched 140. Twelve places recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius on the day while it was between 43 and 46 degrees in nine places in the western districts. According to Met office, Sundergarah was the hottest spot on the day with The maximum temperature of 45.8 degrees Celsius followed by 45.5 degrees at Hirakud and 45 degrees in three places- Sonepur, Titilagarah and Sundargarh. While Jharsuguda recorded 44.8 degrees, Talcher was at 44.2, Angul 43.6 and Bhawanipatna 43.5. In Balangir the day’s temperature was recorded at 41.5 degrees Celsius. Though the temperature in the coastal areas was below 40 degrees, the State capital region recorded 40.5 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the local Met office in its forecast said rain or thundershowers may occur at a few places over coastal Odisha and at one or two places over the interior parts. However, the Met office warned that thunder squall accompanied with hail and gusty surface wind reaching a speed up to 60-70 km per hour may occur at one or two paces over the State during next 24 hours. In Bhubaneswar, the sky would remain partially cloudy and the maximum day temperature would be around 39 degrees Celsius, the office said. –The Pioneer
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