Odisha continues to experience a sharp dip in temperatures, with a severe cold wave gripping several districts and disrupting daily life. Over the past few days, residents across western, interior and hilly regions have reported biting cold conditions, with many areas witnessing near-deserted streets by early evening as people remain indoors to escape the chill.
IMD Forecast: Increased Cold Till December 12
Meteorologists from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) have indicated that the cold wave is likely to intensify further from tomorrow. The prevailing cold and dry north-westerly winds will continue to dominate Odisha’s weather pattern until December 12, keeping temperatures significantly low, especially during nighttime.
IMD officials noted that a gradual rise in minimum temperatures may be expected only after December 13, once the incoming western disturbance impacts the northern parts of the country and alters the wind flow over eastern India. However, district-wise changes will remain under close monitoring.
Kandhamal Freezes Below 5°C
The cold has been most severe in the higher altitude belts of southern Odisha. Kandhamal district, known for its hilltop terrain, recorded some of the lowest temperatures in the state. G. Udayagiri reported minimum temperatures below 5°C, marking one of the coldest mornings of the season so far.
Several other regions also witnessed sharp falls. Early morning field observations today recorded 9°C in Jharsuguda at 5:30 am, signaling widespread penetration of the cold wave across northwestern Odisha.
Fog Reduces Visibility in Multiple Districts
Alongside the falling temperatures, dense fog has become a recurring concern in parts of Subarnapur district. For at least seven consecutive days, heavy fog has been reported in pockets such as Binika, Rampur and Dunguripali.
Binika, in particular, has experienced extremely low visibility levels. Local reports indicate that fog cover has been so thick at times that face-to-face visibility dropped drastically, affecting morning commutes, traffic movement and general outdoor activity.
Cold Wave Expected to Peak Before Relief
With conditions likely to worsen slightly before improvement, residents are advised to take necessary precautions against prolonged exposure to the cold, especially the elderly, children and those in vulnerable regions.
The state administration and weather authorities continue to track developments closely, although no major deviations from the current forecast are expected until the western disturbance begins to influence the region after December 13.
