Cold wave gripped Odisha leading to a big drop in temperatures across the State on Friday.
Due to the sudden chill, normal life was affected in the western and southern parts of the State with the weather office advising people to restrict outdoor movements.
The mercury fell below 11 degrees Celsius in nine districts of Odisha. It fell by 1.5-3 degrees in southern Odisha while the condition in the coastal regions is no different. In interior parts of the State, the mercury dipped by 0.5-1.7 degrees.
Koraput recorded a minimum temperature of 9 degrees Celsius, followed by Titilagarh (9.3), Jharsuguda (9.6), Keonjhar (9.6) while Sundargarh and Bhawanipatna recorded 10 degrees Celsius each.
On Thursday night, Phulbani recorded 9 degree Celsius, while Odisha’s Kashmir, Daringbadi registered 7 degrees. However, today the two places recorded 7.5 degrees and 6.5 degrees, respectively.
“The mercury has fallen from 3-4 days and dense fog has engulfed parts of Phulbani. Due to the fog, visibility has been affected and it is taking extra time of commuters to reach their destinations,” said Pradeep Sahu, a Phulbani local.
The Met Department has warned of the cold wave gripping the State from Friday to December 20.
Officials confirmed that the temperature will further plunge, ranging from 3 to 4 degrees Celsius from Friday.
Night time temperature across the State will hover between 16 and 18 degree Celsius, except the south coastal region where the minimum temperature will remain above 18 degree Celsius.
From December 18, the skylines of Capital city of Bhubaneswar will have no clouds. The minimum temperature in the State Capital, however, will move up from Thursday and will hover at around 16 deg Celsius till December 29.
According to weather office, there is a chance of increase in illness such as flu, running/stuffy nose or nosebleed, which usually set in or get aggravated due to prolonged exposure to cold among children and elderly persons.
It is also advised farmers to keep their bovines safe from cold.