Odisha witnessed its first frost of the season on Thursday as temperatures in Kandhamal district dipped to 5°C, coating shrubs, paddy yards, and open fields in Phulbani with a thin layer of ice.
The frosty morning transformed large stretches of farmland into shimmering white patches, marking one of the most intense cold spells of the winter so far.
Residents in Phulbani and surrounding areas reported spotting a thin white crust on vegetation and farm surfaces early in the morning. Local observers confirmed frost formation across plains and valleys, with chilly morning winds further intensifying the cold. Ground visuals also showed dense fog blanketing the terrain, reducing visibility and turning the entire landscape into a grey, mist-covered zone.
Cold Wave Tightens Grip Across Odisha
Preliminary IMD station readings revealed a sharp fall in temperature across Kandhamal:
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Phulbani: 5.2°C
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G. Udayagiri: 5°C
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Daringbadi: 7°C
The cold conditions in Kandhamal reflect a statewide temperature drop.
IMD data recorded Jharsuguda at 8.6°C at 5:30 am, while several interior pockets of Kandhamal and Koraput hovered around 5°C. At least ten cities and towns across Odisha reported minimum temperatures at or below 10°C.
In the state capital, the winter chill continued to deepen. Bhubaneswar dropped to 13°C, marking a steep 9.6°C decline in just ten days.
IMD analysts stated that dense fog and cold northwesterly winds will dominate Odisha’s weather over the next 48 hours, prolonging severe cold wave conditions across northern, western, and interior districts.
IMD Warns of No Immediate Relief
According to the extended IMD forecast, winter intensity will remain high across the state until December 12, with a further drop in minimum temperatures likely in several interior districts.
The weather agency noted that the ongoing chill is consistent with the broader synoptic pattern influencing eastern India this week, and more cold spells may follow later in the month.
