Bhubaneswar, Dec 29: Odisha continued to reel under severe cold wave conditions on Sunday, with temperatures plunging to as low as 3.5 degrees Celsius in parts of the state, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a five-day warning for cold wave and dense fog.
According to the IMD, minimum temperatures across the state are expected to remain largely unchanged till the New Year, prolonging the prevailing cold conditions.
Southern and western Odisha remain the worst affected, with biting cold accompanied by persistent fog disrupting normal life, particularly during early morning hours.
IMD data showed that more than ten locations in Odisha recorded minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius over the past 24 hours, with interior districts experiencing sharper drops during the night.
Kandhamal district emerged as the coldest region in the state, where G. Udayagiri recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 3.5 degrees Celsius.
Other cold pockets included Daringbadi and Phulbani, both registering temperatures of around 6 degrees Celsius.
Meteorologists have also warned of dense fog during morning hours in several districts, including Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Nayagarh.
Intermittent fog is likely to affect other parts of the state as well over the next five days, reducing visibility on highways and rural roads and impacting vehicular movement.
The IMD said there is no immediate relief from the cold wave till December 31, with similar conditions expected to persist across most districts.
A marginal rise of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in minimum temperatures is likely from January 1, subject to changes in wind patterns and atmospheric circulation.
Authorities have advised residents to take necessary precautions during early morning and night hours, especially while travelling in fog-prone areas, and to protect vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those with health conditions.
