Mercury dips below 10°C at nine places in Odisha; dense fog warning issued

Cold conditions intensified across Odisha on Monday as the mercury dropped below the 10 degrees Celsius mark at nine places, disrupting normal life in several parts of the state, officials said.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Koraput in south Odisha recorded the lowest temperature at 5.5 degrees Celsius. It was followed by G Udayagiri in Kandhamal district at 6.8 degrees Celsius and Daringbadi, often referred to as the “Kashmir of Odisha”, at 7 degrees Celsius.

Phulbani and Similiguda registered minimum temperatures of 8 degrees Celsius each, while Nabarangpur recorded 8.8 degrees and Boudh 9.2 degrees Celsius. Chiplima and Rourkela also witnessed chilly weather with minimum temperatures of 9.9 degrees Celsius.

Weather officials said the drop in temperature was due to prevailing dry northwesterly winds and clear night skies, which are conducive to colder conditions during winter.

The IMD has also issued a warning for dense fog at isolated places in several districts over the next 24 hours, particularly during early morning hours. The fog may affect visibility and disrupt road and rail transport, the weather office cautioned.

People, especially in interior and hilly regions, were seen taking precautions against the cold, while authorities advised residents to remain alert to weather advisories in the coming days.