Cold wave to sweep Odisha again as rainfall activity decreases

Rainfall across several parts of Odisha under the influence of low pressure-turned-depression over the Bay of Bengal will witness a gradual reduction from today, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast said on Sunday. However, the forecast also added the possibility of light rainfall along coastal Odisha districts. Parts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput may continue to be battered by the low-pressure-induced rain, the report added.

Meanwhile, in its latest prediction, IMD stated that nail-biting cold may sweep the entire Odisha as cold wave conditions are very likely to return to the state after the decrease in rainfall activity. Mercury is expected to plummet by as much as 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in the subsequent 3 days over large parts of Odisha, informed the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar.

ALSO READ: Depression over Bay of Bengal: IMD predicts system's next course, rainfall in Odisha

Moreover, a warning, valid for the next 24 hours, for dense fog with visibility between 50 to 200 meters, has also been issued for isolated places across the districts of Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, and Jharsuguda districts.

Meanwhile, the IMD has laid forward the possibility of cloudy skies prevailing over several districts. Under the cloud cover, Angul was the coldest place in Odisha yesterday at 13.6 degrees Celsius in the plains while G. Udayagiri and Similguda at 16.2 degrees Celsius, were the lowest among hill stations.

ALSO READ: Cold wave turns unbearable, Odisha shivers at 4.8 degree Celsius

Notably, before the onset of a well-marked low pressure and subsequent depression over the Bay of Bengal, a persistent cold wave had caused temperatures to drop to season’s low at several places in Odisha with even frost accumulation and snowfall-like conditions reported from Sundargarh district.