Bhubaneswar, Dec 24: Odisha is set to witness a return of severe winter conditions, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that a cold wave is likely to affect the state from Christmas onwards.
According to the IMD, minimum temperatures are expected to drop further following the departure of a western disturbance.
The inflow of dry and cold northwesterly winds is likely to intensify the chill across several parts of the state. At present, southern and western districts are experiencing the coldest conditions.
In the last 24 hours, Koraput recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state at 6.3 degrees Celsius.
Daringbadi followed closely at 7 degrees Celsius, while Nabarangpur and Phulbani registered minimum temperatures of 8 degrees and 8.5 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Jharsuguda recorded 9.4 degrees Celsius, and Boudh reported 9.5 degrees Celsius. The weather department has indicated that there is unlikely to be any significant change in minimum temperatures across Odisha over the next week, suggesting that cold conditions will persist.
In addition to the cold wave, light to moderate fog is expected to prevail across the state for the next five days, which may reduce visibility in several areas.
The IMD has advised residents to take necessary precautions, including dressing warmly, using heating devices safely, and keeping track of weather updates as winter conditions intensify across the state.
