Odisha continued to reel under intense winter conditions on Saturday as a cold wave, accompanied by dense fog, gripped large parts of the state. Several interior and western districts witnessed a sharp dip in minimum temperatures, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that the prevailing cold spell is likely to persist for at least another week.
According to IMD data, minimum temperatures dropped below 10 degrees Celsius in at least eight cities across the state on Friday night. Koraput emerged as the coldest place in Odisha this season, recording a minimum temperature of 4.8 degrees Celsius. The chilly conditions were also severe in the Kandhamal region, with Daringbadi logging 6.5 degrees Celsius, reaffirming its reputation as the “Kashmir of Odisha.”
Other regions also experienced biting cold, with Jharsuguda recording 7.2 degrees Celsius, Phulbani 7.5 degrees, Rourkela 8 degrees, Nabarangpur 8.5 degrees, Sundargarh 9 degrees, and Bhawanipatna 9.8 degrees Celsius. Coastal areas remained comparatively warmer, though still chilly by local standards. Bhubaneswar recorded a minimum temperature of 14.6 degrees Celsius, while Cuttack registered 12.8 degrees Celsius.
No Immediate Relief From Cold Conditions
The IMD has ruled out any immediate respite from the cold wave. The regional meteorological center in Bhubaneswar stated that there will be no major change in minimum temperatures over the next four days. Cold and dry north-westerly winds are expected to continue influencing the weather, keeping night temperatures low across most districts. A gradual rise in minimum temperatures is likely only after this period.
Meteorologists said the ongoing cold spell is typical for this time of the year, but the intensity has increased due to favourable atmospheric conditions. Residents, especially in interior districts, have been advised to take precautions during early morning and night hours.
Dense Fog Prompts Yellow Warning
In addition to the cold wave, dense fog has added to the discomfort and raised concerns over visibility, particularly during early morning hours. The IMD has issued yellow warnings for districts including Sundargarh, Kandhamal, Khurda, Dhenkanal and Koraput, cautioning people about dense fog conditions.
Shallow to moderate fog is expected to occur in isolated pockets across several districts for the next five days. Similar warnings have been extended for Sunday morning in Kandhamal, Koraput, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul and Khordha districts.
The foggy conditions are likely to impact road and rail traffic in some areas, with authorities urging commuters to remain cautious during early morning travel.
With cold nights and foggy mornings set to continue, Odisha is bracing for an extended spell of winter chill, especially in its western and interior regions.
