Temperatures across Odisha have plummeted once again, ushering in a renewed wave of winter chill. In the past 24 hours, nine cities in the state recorded minimum nighttime temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, with G. Udayagiri in Kandhamal district registering the lowest at a bone-chilling 5.6°C. Residents in affected areas are bundling up as the cold snap intensifies, accompanied by dense fog in several regions.
According to data from the Bhubaneswar Regional Meteorological Centre, the cold has made a comeback after a brief respite. Other notably low temperatures include Semiliguda at 7.5°C, Daringbadi at 8°C, Rourkela at 8.1°C, Phulbani at 8.5°C, Jharsuguda at 8.6°C, Keonjhar and Chipilima both at 9.5°C, and Angul at 9.8°C. These drops signal a widespread dip in mercury levels, affecting both interior and coastal districts.
The meteorological center forecasts that the cold conditions will persist until next Saturday, with dense fog expected in scattered locations. Over the last 24 hours, dense fog was reported in Rourkela, Koraput, and Phulbani, while moderate fog blanketed Bhawanipatna. Director Manorama Mohanty warned of continued dense fog for the next two days, advising caution for travelers and commuters.
For the next 24 hours, a yellow warning for cold has been issued for Jharsuguda and Angul districts. Additionally, dense fog alerts are in place for Sundargarh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Koraput districts. Similar warnings for dense fog in these districts extend to the morning of December 8. Mohanty emphasized that no significant changes in temperatures are expected until the morning of December 12, urging residents in the alerted districts to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions against the chill and reduced visibility.
This cold wave comes amid Odisha’s typical winter patterns, where northern winds bring cooler air, often leading to foggy mornings and chilly nights. Authorities recommend wearing warm clothing, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly and children, and advise drivers to exercise extra care on foggy roads.