Cold wave hits Odisha as temperatures drop significantly

Bhubaneswar, Jan 18: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a sharp decline in temperatures across Odisha, with the mercury falling to 5 degrees Celsius in G Udayagiri, a hill station in the Kandhamal district, over the past 24 hours.

Several other regions also experienced a drop in night temperatures, with Semiliguda in Koraput recording 7.6 degrees Celsius. Phulbani and Daringbadi, both in Kandhamal, registered 8 degrees Celsius, while Jharsuguda and Anul recorded 9.7 and 10 degrees Celsius, respectively. Dense fog was noted in Phulbani, further contributing to the chilly conditions.

In the capital city, Bhubaneswar, the temperature fell to 12.3 degrees Celsius, which is 3.2 degrees below the average for this time of year, marking the second consecutive day of low temperatures. Meanwhile, Cuttack saw a slight increase in temperature, rising from 12.4 to 13 degrees Celsius. The IMD forecasts that temperatures in these twin cities will likely remain between 11 and 13 degrees Celsius over the next week.

The weather agency has also issued warnings for dense fog in Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Sundargarh, and Koraput until January 19, with shallow to moderate fog expected in Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Keonjhar, and Jharsuguda until January 21. Little change in night temperatures is anticipated in the coming days.