A severe cold wave continues to grip Odisha, with western and northwesterly dry winds intensifying the chill across the state.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the cold conditions will persist for another four days, with Regional Meteorological Centre Director Manorama Mohanty confirming a cold night warning until January 17.
In the last 24 hours, minimum temperatures plunged below 10°C in 11 cities. The hilly region of G. Udayagiri recorded the state’s lowest temperature at 3.7°C, while Rourkela in the plains logged 6°C. Jharsuguda recorded 5.7°C, with night temperatures dropping up to 5 degrees below normal in Angul and Jharsuguda districts. Frost was visible in Bhawanipatna.
Other locations that recorded temperatures below 10°C include Phulbani, Semiliguda, Kirei, Sundargarh, Angul, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, and Baripada.
Mohanty stated that the cold wave will continue over the next 3–4 days, with minimum temperatures expected to fall further, particularly in Jharsuguda, Angul, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara districts. From January 18 onwards, cold is likely to intensify in Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur districts, with temperatures expected to drop 2–3 degrees below normal.
Yellow warnings for cold conditions have been issued as follows:
– January 15: Jharsuguda, Angul, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur
– January 16: 11 districts
– January 17: 12 districts
No cold or dense fog warnings have been issued from January 18. IMD scientist Umashankar Das said northwesterly and northerly dry winds are expected to strengthen further, bringing renewed cold conditions to the state.
