Bhubaneshwar, Apr 22: At least 22 people have died due to the intense heat wave in Orissa.

The State Government has decided to pay an ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to the next of the kin of those who have died.

Schools have been closed from Tuesday because of the heat wave.

The maximum temperature rose above 42 degree Celsius mark in most parts of the state.

Bhubaneshwar, Apr 21: The heat wave is on in Orissa, with the maximum temperature hovering around the 42° Celsius mark in most parts of the State. The heat wave has so far claimed 10 lives in the state.

In Bhubaneswar, people are finding it hard to venture out of their homes, while the poor are attempting to find respite under the shade of a trees.

Others were found to be heading towards roadside stalls to savour cool ice candies and watermelons. Watermelons are particularly in great demand.

Puri, Apr 18: Tribals in Puri have observed a unique atonement ritual, wherein, they observe a bizarre tradition of piercing iron hooks in their bodies while paying obeisance to please their deity.

Bhubaneshwar, Apr 7 : The Orissa Government has announced plans to provide traveling expenses to AIDS patients to visit the Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) centers from their homes.

Project Director, Orissa State Aids Control Society, Parameswar Swain on Monday said:

"The scheme will be effective from April 1. The Government has made a budgetary allocation for this purpose."

Swain said full concession would be given on the fare of all public transport services, including buses and trains.

Bhub