A distinct winter chill has settled over Odisha as night temperatures dropped below 20°C across most parts of the state, with six locations recording minimum temperatures below 15°C, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Semiliguda in Koraput district emerged as the coldest spot in the state on Monday night, logging a low of 11.6°C, closely followed by G. Udayagiri at 12.4°C and Daringbadi at 14°C.
Regional Temperature Breakdown & Below-Normal Drops
Interior and tribal hill districts bore the brunt of the early winter dip, with several stations reporting temperatures significantly lower than seasonal averages:
- Coldest Centers: Phulbani and Jharsuguda recorded 14.5°C each, while Bhawanipatna logged 14.6°C and Nabarangpur reached 15°C.
- Western Odisha Belt: Night temperatures dipped across Rourkela (15.7°C), Hirakud (16°C), Sambalpur (16.2°C), Kirei in Sundargarh (16.2°C), Kendujhar (16.6°C), Rayagada (16.6°C), and Chipilima (16.8°C).
- Below-Normal Variations: Minimum temperatures in Jharsuguda fell 3.5°C below normal, Hirakud dropped 3.2°C below normal, and Bhawanipatna recorded a 2°C drop below seasonal averages.
Microclimate Contrast & 7-Day Forecast
The weather pattern highlighted sharp microclimate variations within Koraput district:
- Intra-District Contrast: While Semiliguda plummeted to 11.6°C, Koraput town—just 22 km away—recorded a mild 20°C (5.2°C above normal), creating an 8.4°C thermal gap between neighboring locations.
- Twin City Readings: The capital city Bhubaneswar registered a minimum of 18.5°C, while neighboring Kataka experienced a cooler night at 17.4°C.
- Seven-Day Outlook: Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre Director Manorama Mohanty confirmed that dry weather will prevail for the next seven days with zero rainfall expected. A low-pressure system forming over the southeast Bay of Bengal around November 13 is unlikely to impact Odisha.
