Severe Cold Wave Grips Odisha; G Udaygiri Records 3°C

Odisha continued to reel under a severe cold wave on Wednesday as minimum temperatures dipped sharply across large parts of the state, with more than 20 places recording temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, officials said.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), G Udaygiri in Kandhamal district emerged as the coldest place in the state, registering a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius. Phulbani town followed closely at 5 degrees Celsius, while Rourkela recorded 5.1 degrees Celsius and Jharsuguda 5.4 degrees Celsius.

The cold conditions were also felt in several other regions, with minimum temperatures in Daringbadi, a popular tourist destination often referred to as the “Kashmir of Odisha,” as well as Keonjhar, Sundergarh and Bhawanipatna, hovering between 7 and 8 degrees Celsius, the IMD said in its daily bulletin.

Residents across interior and western districts reported biting cold conditions during early morning and late night hours, affecting normal life. People were seen lighting bonfires in public places to keep warm, while footfall on roads remained thin during the morning hours.

The IMD attributed the prevailing cold conditions to the influence of dry northerly winds and clear night skies, and said the cold wave situation is likely to persist over the next couple of days. The weather department has advised people, especially children, the elderly and those with health conditions, to take necessary precautions against the cold.