Odisha's night temperatures plunge, IMD forecasts more cold days ahead

Bhubaneswar, Nov 16: Odisha is experiencing the onset of winter with a significant drop in night temperatures, dipping below 10°C in some areas. G Udayagiri in Kandhamal district recorded the lowest at 9°C, while Daringbadi and Phulbani both saw temperatures of 12.5°C.

Other areas, including Rourkela (12.7°C), Angul and Jharsuguda (13°C), were also well below normal by 4.8°C and 4.1°C, respectively. Kirei in Sundargarh recorded 14.2°C, and the twin cities of Bhubaneswar (17.4°C) and Cuttack (17°C) also experienced temperatures below the usual levels.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted further drops in the night temperature by 2-3°C over the next 4 to 5 days. This is attributed to dry, cold northerly winds and clear skies across the state. A shift in wind patterns is expected to cause additional cooling from Friday onwards.

However, the IMD also forecasts a rise in temperatures after November 24 due to the potential formation of a cyclonic circulation in the southern Bay of Bengal. This system could bring moisture-laden easterly winds, raising the minimum temperatures once again.