Cold Wave Tightens Grip on Odisha; 25 Places Record Night Temperatures Below 10°C

Bhubaneswar: A severe cold wave has tightened its grip across Odisha, with as many as 25 places recording minimum night temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius on Friday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

G. Udayagiri in Kandhamal district emerged as the coldest place in the state, with the mercury plunging to 2.6°C. It was followed by Rourkela at 3.6°C and Semiliguda at 4.1°C. Several other regions also experienced biting cold, including Jharsuguda (4.6°C), Phulbani (5°C), Kirei (5.7°C) and Daringbadi, which recorded 6°C.

The cold wave conditions extended to northern and western Odisha, with Sundargarh shivering at 6.5°C and Angul recording 7°C. Nabarangpur saw the temperature drop to 7.5°C, while Dhenkanal and Bhawanipatna recorded 7.6°C and 7.8°C respectively. Keonjhar remained chilly at 7.9°C, followed by Balangir at 8.1°C and Ranital at 8.4°C.

Urban centres were not spared either. Cuttack and Baripada both recorded a minimum temperature of 8.6°C, while Mahisapat stood at 8.9°C. Sonepur registered 9°C, with Sambalpur and Bhubaneswar recording 9.2°C and 9.4°C respectively. Koraput recorded a low of 9.5°C.

Meanwhile, temperatures hovered around the 10°C mark in Boudh, Nuapada and Bargarh, indicating widespread cold conditions across the state.

The IMD has advised people to take necessary precautions, especially during early morning and night hours, as cold wave conditions are likely to persist in several parts of Odisha.