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A cold wave has gripped Odisha, with temperatures dropping significantly across the state. The mercury dipped below 15°C in 21 places, with Daringbadi in Kandhamal district recording the lowest temperature at 8.5°C, followed by G. Udayagiri at 8.7°C.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the night temperature is 3-6°C below normal in several parts of the state. The cold wave is expected to persist for the next three days, with little respite in sight. However, temperatures are likely to rise by 3-4°C thereafter.
The dry northwesterly winds blowing across the state since late Tuesday night have contributed to the drop in temperature. The weather is expected to remain dry, with no significant change in the cold wave conditions.
Phulbani had a minimum temperature of 10°C, followed by Rourkela (10.5°C), Jharsuguda (10.6°C), and Chipilima in Sambalpur (10.9°C). Other localities with low temperatures include Kirei in Sundergarh (11.3°C), Keonjhar (12.4°C), Angul (12.6°C), and Koraput (13.2°C).
Jharsuguda’s temperature was 6°C lower than normal, while Angul’s nighttime temperature was 5.2°C lower. Temperatures in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Titlagarh were also 3-4 degrees Celsius lower than typical.
The cold wave is forecast to last for the next three days, with little relief in sight.
