Koraput: The maximum temperature is hovering around the 40 degrees Celsius mark at several places in the district.

The hot weather conditions coupled with acute shortage of drinking water and unscheduled power-cuts are adding to the problems of the people.

Most residents of urban areas such as Jeypore, Koraput, Sunabeda and Kotpad in the district are preferring to stay indoors during the day. Koraput experienced the maximum temperature of 38°C on Thursday.

"The district is witnessing above-normal temperatures for the past few days. The high humidity remains till 6pm forcing people to remain indoors," said Ramesh Pani, a trader at Jeypore.

With the day temperature rising, an increasing number of heat-related cases are being reported from hospitals. Hordes of patients, mostly labourers and daily wagers suffering from dehydration, are being admitted at various hospitals, said an official.

However, an official at the district emergency centre said no sun-stroke related deaths have been reported in the district so far.

All primary health centres have been provided with oral rehydration solutions and water kisoks have been set up at several places.

"Health centres are being equipped with coolers and ice-bags to treat sun-stroke patients. The situation is under control," said K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy, the Korapur collector .