Bhubaneshwar, May 2: Constantly rising mercury has claimed 18 lives in Orissa's capital Bhubaneshwar.

As the temperature touched 43 degrees, many people suffered heat stroke in the state.

Orissa has not seen rainfall since last August. Due to rising temperature, sand and the soil have become completely dry, resulting in no cloud formation above the region. The cycle is completed by steep rise in the temperature.

The meteorological centre sees no respite from the heat. It, however, has predicted that these conditions would prevail for the coming days.

"We have given a heat wave warning for the next 24 hours. We are expecting thunder squall in the coastal regions. This situation is likely to continue for the next few days," said S. C Sahoo, Director of Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneshwar.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Kirori Mal Bainsla has suffered a heat stroke in Tonk located in Rajasthan.

Bainsla, who has to disrupt his campaigning midway for the Lok Sabha elections, is said to be recovering.

The temperature is already crossing the mark of 40 degrees Celsius mark in many parts of the nation, and the months of May and June are predicted to be even hotter. (ANI)