Bhubaneswar: The mercury rose sharply across Odisha as altogether nine places in the state recorded maximum temperature of 40 Degree Celsius or above on Friday.

As per the IMD data, the Western Odisha town of Jharsuguda recorded the highest maximum temperature of 41.6 Degree C in the state.

Angul recorded the second highest maximum temperature of 40.7 Degree C, followed by Titilagarh in Balangir district and Bhadrak (40.5 Degree C), revealed the IMD data.

The maximum temperature was 40.4 Degree C at Hirakud Sambalpur, 40.3 Degree C at Balangir and 40 Degree C at Talcher in Angul district, Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district and Sambalpur.

Altogether four places—Rourkela, Sundargarh, Chandbali and Baripada—recorded the maximum temperature between 39 Degree C and 40 Degree C.

Similarly, the mercury hovered around 38 Degree C at nine places—Bhawanipatna, Bhubaneswar (38.7 Degree C), Nuapada, Sonepur, Cuttack (38.4 Degree C), Balasore, Jajpur, Boudh and Bargarh.  

As per the IMD prediction, the mercury is likely to dip by 2 to 3 Degree C across the state in next three days.