Bhubaneswar: The southwest monsoon entered the state much before its scheduled date of arrival, but it has failed to contain the heat and humidity that continues to beat down on people.

And if Saturday's predictions by the local meteorological department are to be believed, the heatwave condition that had hit the state over the past couple of months could also be set to return and make things worse for people.

The meteorological centre here has predicted that heatwave condition would prevail over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Khurda, Angul, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi and Balangir over the next 48 hours, while there will be a slight relief from heat and humidity from June 20 onwards.

However, there will not be any bigger changes in the weather condition till June 24. Only a few places in the state are likely to receive one or two spells of light rain during that period. "The monsoon is not so strong and the wind pattern is not favouring its course," said a weather centre official.

The southwest monsoon arrived in the state on June 8, two days before its scheduled date.

Experts said there were lesser chances of monsoon getting reactivated over the next six to seven days because of several reasons, including an active western disturbance that is affecting the state's weather. "The flow of hot and dry winds from the west is stronger now and is responsible for the present situation," said former Met director Sarat Chandra Sahu.

The school and mass education department has also extended its ongoing summer holidays for state-run schools from June 18 to June 21. In a statement, the department directed the district administration to extend the holidays on account of the ongoing heatwave condition.

The local Met centre recorded maximum temperatures above 40°C at eight places with Rayagada recording the highest temperature at 41.4°C. Bhubaneswar sizzled at 40.2°C, while Cuttack recorded 40°C.

"It almost feels like we are in the peak of summer. The temperature was not so high even during the actual summer months, but I have no idea how the temperature had risen in such a manner at this time of the year. It is almost difficult to get out of the house in the morning," said Ajit Nayak, a resident of UnitIX.