Bhubaneswar (PTI): The death toll due to the heat wave in Orissa rose to eight today as temperatures remained high in the western region while there was considerable relief in the coastal belt due to the formation of a cyclonic storm over Bay of Bengal. One heat-induced casualty each was reported from Mayurbhanj and Henkanal.

Bringing hopes of rain in the state's coastal areas, the deep depression formed over Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm and lay centred over the sea about 700 km south of Gopalpur, Met officials said.

The cyclonic storm, "Nargis", is likely to intensify further and move in a north-westerly direction slowly for some more time and rain and thundershower are likely to occur at a few places over south Orissa and isolated places over northern parts under its impact.

Strong and gusty surface wind from south-westerly direction with a speed of 45-55 km per hour is likely along and off Orissa coast.

Sundergarh was the hottest place in the state recording a high of 42.4 degrees Celsius while capital Bhubaneswar had a maximum temperature of 36.8 degrees Celsius. It was 41.1 degrees in the coal belt of Angul. Though the government received complaints about 53 heat-related deaths, it has confirmed eight -- three in Angul, two in Dhenkanal and one each in Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur and Mayurbhanj.