Bhubaneswar, May 19: The southwest monsoon, which has reached the Andaman and Nicobar islands in the Bay of Bengal, will hit Kerala next week. However, the state has to bear the prevailing hot and humid conditions for at least one more week.

The local meteorological centre has predicted that the heat-wave condition would continue along the coastal belt for the next one week while the interior parts of the state - the southern and northern pockets of the state - will see a change in weather and witness squall with thundershower and high-speed wind during this period.

"The city might witness some rain in the next 48 hours, but the heat and humidity will continue. Interior pockets, however, are likely to witness thunder squall with hail. The wind speed in those areas might touch 50kmph to 60kmph. There will be no major change in the weather till May 26," said Met director Sarat Chandra Sahu.

Bhubaneswar received a bit of rain late last night, but the maximum temperature remained at a high of 39.6°C, while the minimum was 25.8°C today. The Met recorded a mere 0.2 mm rain in the city. The neighbouring Cuttack received no rain and it experienced a maximum temperature of 39°C and a minimum of around 25°C.

"It is really difficult to go out after 10 in the morning. The sun is scalding and the high humidity adds to the discomfort. I hope the situation improves soon. The weather is absolutely unbearable now," said Madhulika Mishra, a resident of Patia.

The interior pockets of the state received heavy rain in the past 24 hours.

Hirakud received the highest of 38.2mm rain followed by Sambalpur, which received 26mm. During this time, Keonjhar received 25.8mm rain and Sundargarh 24mm.

"The rain in the interior pockets is a result of a trough line and fluctuation in the wind flow," said the Met director.