Bhubaneswar: A sudden and intense cold wave has swept across Odisha, bringing unseasonably low temperatures and prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue cold wave warnings for several interior districts. The cold snap, attributed to a sustained flow of frigid north-westerly winds from northern India, has pushed minimum temperatures significantly below the seasonal average across the state.
The Capital City of Bhubaneswar recorded its coldest November night in 25 years on Monday, with the mercury dipping sharply to 12.9°C. This marks the lowest temperature recorded in the city for the month since the year 2000, signifying an early and severe onset of winter conditions.
Interior and hilly regions of the state remain the worst affected. G Udayagiri in Kandhamal district registered the lowest minimum temperature across Odisha at 5.8°C. Other locations in the cold zone include Semiliguda (Koraput) at 7.4°C, Daringbadi at 8.0°C, and Phulbani at 9.0°C. A dozen cities have reported minimum temperatures below the 12°C mark, a condition typically seen much later in the winter season.
Similipal National Park is likely experiencing significantly low minimum temperatures, similar to the rest of interior Odisha. While Baripada is forecasted at 13°C the higher altitude regions within Similipal, like Meghasani or Khairiburu, would typically be even colder, likely dropping well into the single digits to 3°C to 4°Cconsistent with the trend seen in other hilly parts of the state.
The IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar confirmed that the temperatures are running 5°C to 7°C below normal in several interior districts and below normal in coastal areas like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Cuttack recorded a minimum temperature near 13°C.
The weather office has maintained a cold wave alert for isolated pockets in districts including Jharsuguda, Kandhamal, and Sundargarh. Meteorologists predict that the intense cold conditions are likely to persist for the next 72 hours, after which a slight rise of 2°C to 3°C in minimum temperatures may be observed as wind patterns are expected to shift.
The sudden temperature drop has disrupted daily life, particularly in the interior districts, where dense early morning fog and biting winds have reduced visibility. Reports indicate that many residents are delaying morning travel, and several schools have reported low attendance due to the harsh chill. Authorities have advised the public, especially the elderly and children, to take necessary precautions against exposure to the cold. Dry weather is expected to prevail across the state for the coming week, accompanying the persistent cold.