After a brief lull, cold wave conditions have made a comeback in Odisha with the mercury dropping steadily in many parts of the State for the last three days.
Daringbadi on Tuesday became the coldest town in the State, registering a minimum temperature of 7 degree Celsius followed by Phulbani (9 degree Celsius) and Titlagarh (9.3 degree Celsius).
Due to the severe cold wave, normal life has been adversely affected in Kandhamal district. Here, people choose to remain themselves confined to four walls after sunset. By 7:00 pm, the streets and roads are getting deserted. The same weather conditions are also prevailing in morning hours.
These days the cold wave is intense in coastal and western Odisha districts.
Maryurbhanj district is also shivering to its core. In Karanjia area, the cold wave condition has thrown the normal life out of gear. While dense fog is being witnessed in the morning, in the evening, people choose to ensconce themselves in their houses.
While the interior areas of Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary recorded 7 degree Celsius, the temperature in Karanjia sub-division was 8 to 9 degree Celsius. In mornings and evenings, the only option people have is to light bonfires to beat the cold. Be it markets, or villages, everywhere a common scene of people sitting around bonfires can be seen.
“Such intense cold had never been experienced in last 10 to 15 years. The cold wave condition has affected the normal life severely. People, specifically senior citizens have stopped coming out for morning walk,” a resident observed.
Taking the inclement weather conditions positively another resident said the mercury dropping all time low has made the matter worse for old and sick people. “But we shouldn’t forget it that it’s a part of nature. We have to live with the hardships of any weather conditions,” he added.