Bhubaneswar: Odisha continues to experience a severe cold wave as temperatures have plummeted across several districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for dense fog, particularly affecting visibility in northern and interior regions. Dry weather is expected to prevail for the next week, with no immediate sign of a significant temperature rise.
Key Temperature Highlights: The state is witnessing a sharp dip in mercury, with several locations recording minimum temperatures well below 10°C. Semiliguda in Koraput district remains the coldest spot in the state, recording a low of 5.7°C. Other significantly cold areas include: Koraput: 6°C, G. Udayagiri: 6.6°C, Jharsuguda: 7.2°C, Daringbadi: 8°C and Phulbani: 7°C
In the capital city of Bhubaneswar, the minimum temperature is hovering around 14°C, while Cuttack recorded a slightly cooler 13°C.
Fog and Visibility Alerts: A yellow warning for dense fog remains in effect for several districts. Commuters and travelers are advised to exercise caution due to significantly reduced visibility (between 50 to 200 meters) in: Sundargarh, Kandhamal, Koraput and Sambalpur
Moderate fog has also been reported in Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, and Sonepur. Rourkela recently experienced very dense fog with visibility dropping below 50 meters, causing minor disruptions to early morning transport.
Weekly Outlook: The current weather pattern is driven by dry north-westerly winds. While western districts may see a very marginal rise in night temperatures over the next 48 hours, the overall cold conditions are expected to persist. No rainfall is predicted for the state during this period.
Safety Advisory: Authorities have advised the public, especially the elderly and children, to take precautions against the cold. Motorists are urged to use fog lights and maintain safe speeds during the early morning and late evening hours when visibility is lowest.