Bhubaneswar : With Phulbani becoming the coldest place in Odisha as mercury plumed to 4 Degree Celsius normal life in most parts of the State is severely affected.
Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are very likely to prevail at one or two places over the districts of Angul, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi, Sundargarh and Jharsuguda during next 24 hours, the Regional Meteorological Centre informed..
The night temperature in 13 places in the state dropped below 10 degree Celsius, the met office said adding that Phulbani (4) was followed by Daringbadi (5.5), Angul (6), Koraput (6.6), Bhawanipatna (7.2), Jharsuguda and Sundergarh (7.5), Baripada (8.5), Balangir (8.8), Keonjhar and Titlagarh (9), Sonepur (9.2), and Boudh (9.5).
The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack registered a minimum temperature of 11.7°C and 10.5°C, respectively, they said.
On the impact of the continuing cold wave, the IMD said there is an increased likelihood of various illnesses like running/ stuffy nose or nosebleed, which usually set in or get aggravated due to prolonged exposure to cold. Livestock may be affected due to prolonged exposure to cold.
The IMD also suggested people to stay indoors during the night. make arrangements to keep livestock in a shaded /indoor area, avoid movement at night especially through two wheeler/open car and take safety measures while using electrical and gas heating devices.
While severe Cold wave conditions prevailed at one or two places over the district of Angul of north interior Odisha and cold wave conditions also prevailed at one or two places over the districts of
Sundegarh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Koraput of interior regions.
This apart, shallow to moderate fog has occurred at one or two places over the districts of Koraput, Malkangiri and Nayagarh of south Odisha.
“Minimum temperatures observed no large change at most places over the districts of Odisha. Almost all places experienced temperature below normal,” the IMD said the condition is likely to prevail till December 24.
The highest maximum temperature of 30 degree Celsius was recorded at Malkangiri and the lowest minimum temperature of 4 degree was recorded at Phulbani in the plains of Odisha.
“There is no large change in minimum temperature (Night Temperature) over the districts of Odisha during next 3-4 days and It will be below normal by 3-40 C over the districts of Coastal Odisha,” the IMD said.
Keeping in view the IMD warning,.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena in a letter to all the District Collectors and Commissioners of Municipal Corporations said that necessary public awareness campaigns be made on dos and don’ts to protect the people and livestock from the prevailing cold wave.
“All collectors are required to ensure that immediate arrangement is made for opening of school buildings, community building and other available buildings for use as shelter during the night by homeless and needy people,” the SRC pointed out.