Odisha grapples in cold wave with Kandhamal records minimum temperature

Intense cold swept across Odisha with the mercury plummeting to 5.5 degree Celsius in the tourist destination Daringibadi, making it the coldest place in the state on Wednesday. Daringibadi was followed by Phulbani, also in Kandhamal district, which recorded a minimum temperature of 6 degree Celsius, the Meteorological Centre here said. The temperature dipped below 10 degree Celsius in at least nine places in the state.

While Angul recorded a minimum temperature of 8.6 degree Celsius, the mercury stood at 9 degrees in Sundargarh, 9.1 degrees in Keonjhar, 9.4 degrees in Jharsuguda, 9.8 degrees in Sonepur, 9.9 degrees in Sambalpur and 10 degrees in Balasore, it said. The mercury stood at 12.4 degree Celsius in state capital Bhubaneswar, while neighbouring Cuttack recorded a minimum temperature of 11.8 degree Celsius, it said. Cold wave conditions are likely to continue for the next few days in the state. The night temperature in most areas is likely to remain around 3 degree Celsius below normal during the next two days in the state, the Met centre said.

In view of the cold wave conditions sweeping the state, Odisha government has asked district collectors to take steps to provide night accommodation to the homeless inside schools and public buildings, an official said. The civic body authorities have also been asked to provide shelter to the tourists in night shelter homes. The health department, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development departments have been asked to take care of the elderly and the livestock, he added.

(With inputs from agencies.)