Odisha is experiencing an unprecedented cold wave, with Rourkela recording its lowest-ever minimum temperature of 3.6°C on Friday morning. The rare weather event places Rourkela among the four coldest locations in India’s plains, underscoring the severity of the ongoing winter spell affecting large parts of northern and eastern India.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this sharp temperature drop is part of an intense cold wave accompanied by dense fog across the Indo-Gangetic Plains, disrupting daily life, transport, and outdoor activities. The IMD has issued cold wave warnings for 13 states, including Odisha, where temperatures have fallen well below seasonal averages.
Rourkela Among Coldest Plains in India
IMD data shows that Rourkela’s 3.6°C minimum temperature ranks just behind:
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Panthnagar, Uttarakhand – 2.5°C
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Daltonganj, Jharkhand – 3.2°C
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Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh – 3.4°C
Meteorologists described the reading as exceptional for coastal and eastern India, regions typically known for milder winters.
Sub-Zero Conditions in Similipal, Record Lows Elsewhere
The cold wave has been especially harsh across Odisha:
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Similipal National Park (Mayurbhanj) recorded –1°C, the lowest temperature in the state
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Jharsuguda touched a record low of 4.6°C
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G. Udayagiri dropped to 2.6°C
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Semiliguda recorded 4.1°C
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Phulbani fell to 5°C
Even Bhubaneswar, usually insulated from extreme cold, recorded 9.4°C, marking one of its coldest January nights on record.
Daily Life Disrupted Across Western Odisha
The extreme chill has disrupted normal routines, particularly in western Odisha districts such as Rourkela and Jharsuguda. Residents reported frost-like conditions, reduced morning visibility due to thick fog, and biting winds during early hours.
Authorities ordered school closures in several districts, while health officials advised elderly people, children, and those with respiratory conditions to limit outdoor exposure. Emergency shelters and relief measures have been kept on standby.
Tourism hubs like Daringbadi and Bhawanipatna witnessed mixed responses—some visitors were drawn by the rare winter landscape, while others canceled travel plans due to the harsh weather.
Why Is Odisha Experiencing Such Extreme Cold?
Meteorologists attribute the unusual cold wave to:
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Shifting jet stream patterns
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Dense fog trapping cold air
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Rising climate variability, intensifying extreme weather events in regions unaccustomed to them
The IMD forecasts that the cold wave will persist for at least two more weeks, with minimum temperatures likely to remain below 10°C across many parts of Odisha. No immediate relief is expected, as rainfall activity remains unlikely in the near term.
Authorities on Alert
State authorities continue to closely monitor the situation, urging residents to take precautions and follow weather advisories. The ongoing cold spell serves as a reminder of the growing unpredictability of climate patterns, even in traditionally moderate regions like Odisha.
