Bhubaneswar, Jan 8: Odisha remained in the grip of an intense cold wave on Tuesday, with large parts of the state shivering through some of the lowest temperatures of the season, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Jharsuguda recorded the coldest night so far this winter at 5.1 degrees Celsius, making it the chilliest place in the state.
Industrial town Rourkela was not far behind, logging a minimum temperature of 6.6 degrees Celsius, while Sundargarh recorded 7.6 degrees Celsius. Popular hill station Daringbadi, often called the “Kashmir of Odisha”, dipped to 7.5 degrees Celsius.
Several western and interior districts also felt the bite of the cold. Bolangir recorded 8.8 degrees Celsius, while Keonjhar and Phulabani reported minimum temperatures of 9 degrees Celsius each.
Sonepur registered 9.1 degrees Celsius, and Dhenkanal hovered just below the 10-degree mark at 9.9 degrees Celsius, reflecting the widespread nature of the cold wave.
Even coastal and central Odisha were not spared. Cuttack, Baripada and Koraput recorded minimum temperatures of 10 degrees Celsius, while the state capital Bhubaneswar dipped to 12.9 degrees Celsius.
Puri, usually milder due to its coastal location, recorded a low of 14.6 degrees Celsius. The sudden intensification of cold disrupted daily life in several towns.
In Jharsuguda, residents were seen lighting small fires along roadsides and in open spaces during the early morning hours to keep warm. “The cold has increased suddenly. It becomes very difficult to start work before sunrise,” said Ramesh Sahu, a local resident.
In Cuttack, shopkeepers delayed opening their establishments as chilly winds swept through the city. “This winter feels harsher than usual. We are wearing extra layers even during the day,” said Anita Das, a resident of the Badambadi area.
According to the IMD, minimum temperatures across the state are likely to drop further by two to four degrees Celsius over the next three days. The weather office has advised people to take precautions, particularly during the night and early morning hours, as cold wave conditions are expected to persist.
The Bhubaneswar–Cuttack region and western Odisha are likely to continue experiencing biting cold, prompting authorities to urge heightened vigilance during the prolonged winter spell.
