Bhubaneswar: A severe cold wave continues to grip Odisha, causing widespread discomfort and disrupting daily life as temperatures plummet across the state. Cold and dry northwesterly winds are sweeping the region, leading to a significant drop in the mercury, particularly in the interior and hilly districts. The intense cold snap is expected to persist for the next few days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), through its Bhubaneswar centre, has issued multiple warnings and advisories regarding the persistent cold wave in Odisha.
The state’s two coldest spots highlight the extreme chill. The Similipal National Tiger Reserve has recorded the lowest minimum temperature, with its core area, Upper Barahakamuda (UBK), dipping to 3 degrees Celsius. This near-freezing temperature is causing light frost and poses a challenge to the reserve’s wildlife.
Meanwhile, G Udayagiri in the Kandhamal district also remains one of the coldest inhabited places, having recently recorded a minimum temperature of 4.3 degrees Celsius. The tribal-dominated district is reeling from the intense chill, with other cold spots including Daringbadi, often called the ‘Kashmir of Odisha,’ and Phulbani, where temperatures are consistently below the 10-degree mark.
In sharp contrast to the icy nights, the highest maximum temperature was recently recorded at Jharsuguda, which reached a relatively warm 30.2 degrees Celsius, underscoring the wide diurnal temperature range in Western Odisha.
Dense fog has also accompanied the cold wave in many regions, including Phulbani and Rourkela, severely impacting visibility and causing disruptions to early morning road travel.
Minimum temperatures in urban centers like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are expected to remain significantly below normal, potentially dropping to around 11 degrees Celsius and 10 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Authorities have advised residents to take necessary precautions against the cold, especially the elderly and children, and to exercise caution while commuting in foggy conditions.