Bhubaneswar: Odisha is currently experiencing an intensification of a severe cold wave as a systematic influx of chilly north westerly and northerly winds has driven temperatures to record breaking lows across the state.
The structural integrity of daily life in several districts has been compromised by this sudden climatic shift which weather experts attribute to radiational cooling and specific wind patterns.
In a rare and significant meteorological event Similipal in the Mayurbhanj district has recorded a freezing 0 degrees Celsius today. This represents the lowest temperature of the season and underscores a deepening crisis for rural and tribal communities.
The capital city of Bhubaneswar has also registered a historic minimum of 9.4 degrees Celsius matching a 74 year old record set in 1952 and marking a precipitous drop of nearly 6 degrees below the seasonal average.
The India Meteorological Department has maintained a Yellow Warning for several districts including Jharsuguda Sundargarh Angul Keonjhar and Kandhamal.
In G Udayagiri the mercury plummeted to 2.5 degrees Celsius while other interior pockets like Phulbani and Rourkela are hovering between 5 and 6 degrees Celsius.
This systemic synthesis of cold air and clear skies has also led to dense fog in isolated pockets particularly in the south interior districts which is affecting visibility and transportation.
Socio legal and administrative bodies have advised citizens to remain indoors during peak cold hours as the state grapples with the fourth lowest January temperatures recorded in the last seven decades.
Weather officials anticipate that these cold wave conditions will persist for the next 48 hours before a gradual rise in temperature is expected by January 11. Until then the state remains under a high alert for extreme winter conditions.