Odisha is reeling under an intense cold spell as night temperatures continue to plummet below 10 degrees Celsius across several districts, marking a sharp descent into winter’s embrace.
In the last 24 hours, three locations—Daringbadi, Phulbani, and Jharsuguda—recorded minimum temperatures under 10°C, with Daringbadi emerging as the state’s chilliest spot at a bone-numbing 7°C. Rourkela in Sundargarh district clocked exactly 10°C, while dense fog blanketed Kalahandi and light mist hovered over Sundargarh, reducing visibility and adding to the wintry woes.
The cold wave, sweeping from coastal to interior regions, is being fueled by persistent western winds carrying frigid air masses. Regional Meteorological Centre Director Manorama Mohanty confirmed that this mercury dip will linger for at least another week, with no immediate relief in sight. “The state is experiencing a gradual influx of cold winds from the west, leading to widespread temperature drops,” Mahanti stated. “From coastal areas to the hinterlands, the mercury has fallen uniformly, with interior districts like Koraput, Kandhamal, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Angul, Kendujhar, and Sonpur seeing the sharpest declines.”
Phulbani shivered at 8°C, while Jharsuguda hovered at 9.8°C, with isolated pockets in the district feeling the full brunt of the cold wave’s ripples. Even urban centres aren’t spared: Khordha and Cuttack reported falling temperatures, with Cuttack-Bhubaneswar’s night mercury dipping below 13°C in the past day. Sunday night brought further chills, with Bhubaneswar at 12.9°C and Cuttack at 13.2°C. Mahanti warned that night temperatures could slide to as low as 5-7°C in some areas, while interior Odisha faces drops of 3-5°C and coastal districts 5-7°C below normal.
The hill regions remain locked in a prolonged cold spell, and the IMD has issued alerts for cold wave conditions in four districts—Jharsuguda, Khordha, Kandhamal, and Sundargarh—until Tuesday morning. No significant weather shifts are expected until November 23, though a slight moderation may occur from November 24 to 27. Paradip, on the coast, recorded the day’s highest at 32°C on Monday, offering a stark contrast to the night’s freeze.
Meanwhile, a developing low-pressure system over the Sri Lanka coast in the southwesterly Bay of Bengal is set to influence southern India with heavy rainfall until November 22. Tamil Nadu braces for intense downpours through the 22nd, Kerala until the 20th (Thursday), coastal Andhra Pradesh for another 24 hours, and Andaman Islands until the 21st. The IMD has issued warnings accordingly. For Odisha, early forecasts hint at possible rains next week, potentially easing the cold. A low-pressure area is likely to form in the southeast Bay of Bengal around the 22nd, which could temper the chill and nudge night temperatures upward.
Breaking 25-Year Record: Bhubaneswar’s November Night Hits Historic Low
As Odisha shivers collectively, the capital Bhubaneswar has etched a sombre milestone, shattering a 25-year record for its coldest November night. The minimum temperature plunged to 12.9°C, the lowest for the month since 2000, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). “This is the chilliest November night in over two decades for the city,” an IMD official noted.
The bone-chilling cold has gripped the capital, mirroring the statewide trend. No major changes are anticipated in minimum night temperatures over the next 3-4 days, with forecasts predicting a modest 2-3°C rise thereafter. Even with that uptick, the cold wave is expected to persist, keeping residents bundled up. “The entire state is under winter’s hold, but Bhubaneswar’s drop signals how severe this spell has become,” Mohanty added.
