Bhubaneswar: With a sudden drop in mercury levels across the State, the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has issued a cold wave alert for several interior and coastal districts of Odisha for three days.
As per the forecast, an ORANGE warning has been issued in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Angul, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh and Bargarh while MeT has issued a YELLOW warning for 11 districts which include Koraput, Kandhamal, Balasore, Keonjhar, Boudh, Sonepur, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Dhenkanal, Cuttack and Deogarh.
Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are likely to prevail over interior districts of Odisha for three days and the minimum temperature over coastal regions during this period is likely to be 3-4 degree Celsius below normal, informed a senior official of regional IMD centre in Bhubaneswar.
Meanwhile, in view of MeT's severe cold wave alert, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) on Sunday issued an advisory for the municipal commissioners and collectors of all districts.
The SRC observed that there is an increased likelihood of cold-related illness among people which may aggravate due to prolonged exposure to cold. Livestock may also be affected due to prolonged exposure to the chilly cold wave conditions.
People in the districts under Orange/Yellow warning and also in other areas where intense cold is felt have been advised to stay indoors during night and avoid exposure to cold, said the SRC.
Movement during night especially in two-wheelers or in open cars must be avoided, added the SRC.
The SRC has further advised the people to take necessary safety measures while using electrical and gas heating devices to beat the cold.
All the Collectors have been directed to make arrangements for using school buildings, community buildings and other available buildings during night as safe shelters for the homeless and needy people.
The SRC further asked the officials to undertake necessary public awareness campaign on do’s and don’ts to protect the people and livestock from cold wave both in rural and urban areas.
Here is a complete weather outlook for five days:
Day 1 (valid from 1830 hrs IST of 20.12.2020 upto 0830 hrs IST of 21.12.2020).
Orange Warning (Be prepared): Severe cold wave condition very likely to prevail at one or two places over the districts of Mayurbhanj, Angul, Jharsuguda, Bargarh and Sundargarh.
Yellow Warning (Be updated): Cold wave condition very likely to prevail at one or two places over the districts of Koraput, Kandhamal, Balasore,Cuttack, Keonjhar, Boudh, Sonepur, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Dhenkanal and Deogarh.
Day 2 (valid from 0830 hrs IST of 21.12.2020 upto 0830 hrs IST of 22.12.2020).
Orange Warning (Be prepared): Severe cold wave condition very likely to prevail at one or two places over the districts of Mayurbhanj, Angul, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sundargarh and Dhenkanal.
Yellow Warning (Be updated): Cold wave condition very likely to prevail at one or two places over the districts of Koraput, Kandhamal, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Boudh, Deogarh, Kalahandi, Bolangir, Nawarangpur, Nuapada, Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Jajpur and Keonjhar.
Day 3 (valid from 0830 hrs IST of 22.12.2020 upto 0830 hrs IST of 23.12.2020).
Yellow Warning (Be updated): Cold wave condition very likely to prevail at one or two places over the districts of Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Mayurbhanj, Angul, Bargarh, Koraput, Kalahandi, Boudh, Dhenkanal and Kandhamal.
Day 4 (valid from 0830 hrs IST of 23.12.2020 upto 0830 hrs IST of 24.12.2020).
Dry weather most likely to prevail over the districts of Odisha.
Day 5 (valid from 0830 hrs IST of 24.12.2020 upto 0830 hrs IST of 25.12.2020).
Dry weather most likely to prevail over the districts of Odisha.
(Edited By Devbrat Patnaik)