A severe cold wave continues to grip the entire state of Odisha, shattering temperature records this winter. Venturing outdoors after sunset has become increasingly challenging due to the biting chill.
Over the past 24 hours, temperatures dipped below 10 degrees Celsius in 28 cities across the state. The hilly region of G. Udayagiri recorded the lowest at 3.2 degrees Celsius, while in Mayurbhanj district, the mercury plummeted to a chilling minus 1 degree Celsius in the upper Barakamuda area of Similipal.
A warning has been issued for intense to very intense cold conditions in the districts of Cuttack, Khordha, Jharsuguda, Angul, Jagatsinghpur, and Sundargarh for the next 24 hours, as stated by Manoranjan Mohanty, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre.
The cold spell has been relentless, but relief is on the horizon. Night temperatures are expected to rise by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius over the next two days. A yellow warning for cold remains in effect for this period. The weather will predominantly stay dry for the next two weeks, with persistent cold conditions.
By January 15, night temperatures in southern and coastal regions are forecast to increase. Districts like Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Angul, Cuttack, Khordha, and Jagatsinghpur will continue to experience cold, however.
On Saturday, the highest daytime temperature was recorded at Paralakhemundi at 28.6 degrees Celsius. With night temperatures set to rise over the next two days, residents can expect some respite from the severe chill, according to Mohanty.
Meanwhile, a deep depression active in the southwest Bay of Bengal is influencing the weather. Its outer bands are causing increased cloud cover over the state, leading to a higher influx of moisture-laden air. As a result, starting from Saturday night, night temperatures will gradually rise, slightly easing the cold wave’s intensity, explained IMD scientist Umashankar Das.
This cold snap has broken several long-standing records. In Bhubaneswar, the night temperature of 9.2 degrees Celsius marks the coldest night in 22 years (since 2004), and it ranks as the third lowest since 1952. Jharsuguda experienced its coldest night in 73 years at 4.5 degrees Celsius.
Cuttack recorded 9 degrees Celsius, breaking a 23-year record. Rourkela hit an all-time low of 4.1 degrees Celsius, while Angul achieved its lowest January temperature on record at 6 degrees Celsius.
The cloud cover from the sea, combined with western winds, will keep the weather dry but cold. However, the active depression in the Bay of Bengal is expected to moderate the cold from normal levels over the next 2 to 4 days, as per IMD scientist Das.
