Bhubaneswar: A severe cold wave has intensified its grip across Odisha today with several districts recording temperatures significantly below normal levels.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the town of G. Udayagiri recorded the lowest temperature in the state at a freezing 3.7 degrees Celsius while Jharsuguda saw the mercury drop to 8.6 degrees Celsius early this morning.
In the state capital of Bhubaneswar temperatures settled at 12.1 degrees Celsius while Cuttack recorded 11.4 degrees Celsius. Other areas feeling the chill include Rourkela at 6.0 degrees Celsius and Keonjhar at 10.2 degrees Celsius.
The regional meteorological center has issued a yellow warning for several districts due to dense fog conditions which have severely impacted visibility. These districts include Sundargarh, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur. Shallow to moderate fog is also expected in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Khordha over the next 48 hours.
Weather experts attribute this sudden drop to the inflow of cold and dry northwesterly winds. This cold spell is predicted to persist until January 17. However relief is expected starting January 18 as a western disturbance is likely to cause a gradual rise in night temperatures across the region.
Authorities have advised residents particularly children and the elderly to take necessary precautions against the cold. Commuters are also urged to exercise caution while driving during the early morning hours due to the fog alerts.