Odisha is reeling under a severe cold wave, with temperatures dropping sharply across the state.
For the second consecutive day, G Udayagiri in Kandhamal district recorded the season’s lowest minimum temperature at a freezing **3.1°C**, accompanied by frostfall in the hill station.
The chill has intensified, with minimum temperatures falling below 10°C in at least 15 towns over the past 24 hours. Other notably cold spots include:
- Semiliguda — 4.6°C
- Phulbani — 5.5°C
- Daringbadi — 6°C
- Koraput — 6.5°C
- Chiplima — 7.8°C
- Rourkela and Nabarangpur — 8°C
- Jharsuguda — 8.2°C
- Bhawanipatna — 8.5°C
- Angul — 9°C
- Keonjhar — 9.2°C
- Rayagada, Sundargarh, and Boudh — 10°C
The cold wave has gripped interior and border districts particularly hard, marking the eighth consecutive day of plunging mercury.
Dense fog has compounded the misery, observed in Rourkela and Bhawanipatna in the last 24 hours. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar forecasts dense fog in Kandhamal and Kalahandi over the next 24 hours, while issuing a yellow warning for severe cold in Jharsuguda and Angul.
Scientist Dr. Rajashree from the centre attributed the conditions to cold, dry north-westerly winds. “There will be no significant change in night temperatures over the next week,” she said, predicting the cold wave and fog to persist.
Daily life has been disrupted statewide. National highways are shrouded in fog, raising risks for commuters. Streets empty early in the evening due to biting winds, and residents report difficulty venturing out before 10 AM. Hilly areas are expected to see temperatures dip below 5°C, with widespread chill affecting coastal to southern regions.
The IMD predicts the cold spell to continue for the next seven days, with daytime highs around 29°C and nighttime lows near 12°C in many places.
