With most parts of Odisha being swept by an unrelenting heat wave, Special Relief Commissioner’s office said that it has so far received complaints of 24 deaths due to sunstroke. Yesterday, the day temperature hovered over 40 degrees Celsius at 19 places in the State.

Titilagarh town recorded the highest temperature with 44.5 degree Celsius while comparing to Monday’s temperature, yesterday the mercury level in the State capital decreased by almost 3 degree Celsius to settle at 42.9 degree.

Meanwhile, the State government has announced closure of grievance cells at the offices of the chief minister, district collectors and superintendents of police in view of the intense heat wave.