Intense cold makes comeback in Odisha, dense fog alert for 6 districts 

The chilly conditions have returned to Odisha with a significant drop in the night temperature in many parts of the State. However, there will be no major change in night temperature over Odisha for the next 3 to 4 days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday.  

Barring one or two places there will be no major change in the night temperature over Odisha in the next three to four days, said the regional centre of IMD in Bhubaneswar. 

According to the weathermen, as there is no flow of the northerly wind, there is a slight decrease in the cold wave conditions. However, some pockets are likely to witness shallow to medium fog. Specifically, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Koraput and Gajapati districts are expected to witness fog. In some places of these districts, the foggy weather conditions may affect normal visibility and vehicular movement on roads. 

At the same time, Kandhamal is shivering in intense cold, giving bone chilling experience to its residents. With the district’s mercury plummeting, the district is experiencing severe cold wave conditions, throwing the normal life out of gear. While many people have chosen to stay inside during morning and evening hours, others warming themselves sitting around bonfires has become a common sight here. 

G. Udayagiri in Kandhamal district recorded 5 degree Celcius, which is the lowest temperature of the season. At the same time, some places of north interior Odisha recorded night temperatures 3 to 4 degree below normal. While Bhubaneswar recorded 13 degree Celsius, Cuttack recorded 13.2 degree Celsius. 

The weather department predicted dry weather condition across the State till 8.30 am of December 23.  

Notably, twin city of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar witnessed a thick blanket of fog on December 13. The dense fog had affected the visibility so much that several flights to and from the Biju Patnaik International Airport got delayed.