Bhubaneswar, May 26 (IANS): The intense heat wave continued unabated in Odisha on Tuesday with the highest temperature in the state being recorded at 47.6 degrees Celsius in Titlagarh town. The state government said four people have died due to sunstroke.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said eight cities in the state recorded maximum temperatures of above 45 degrees.

Hirakud recorded 46.6 degrees, Sambalpur 46.4, while Bolangir and Jharsuguda both recorded 46 degrees Celsius, said an IMD bulletin.

State capital Bhubaneswar, which had crossed 45 degrees on Monday, however, registered a maximum of 39.8 degrees giving some respite from the blistering sun.

IMD Bhubaneswar director Sarat Chandra Sahu on Tuesday said temperatures in some parts of the coastal districts will come down by 2-3 degrees as there was a possibility of rain or thundershowers in these areas.

He, however, said rising temperature would continue in some parts of the state till the month-end.

Reviewing the heat wave conditions, special relief commissioner G.V.V. Sarma said four people have died due to sunstroke.

While two people died in Rayagada, one each died in Bargarh and Baleswar.

"We are examining 32 other death cases," said Sarma.