Phulbani: Intense cold wave continued to sweep several parts of Odisha while Phulbani and Daringbadi in Kandhamal district witnessed mild frost as temperature in these two places dipped below 5 degree Celsius on Wednesday morning.
A thin layer of ice was seen on ground, above the roofs of cars and houses in interior areas of Daringbadi and Phulbani town this morning which attracted huge crowd, including tourists.
While the picturesque Daringbadi, a high-altitude tourist destination in Odisha, recorded 6 degree Celsius on December 21 while it plummeted to 5.5 on December 22.
"Cold has intensified in Phulbani town since yesterday and frost was visible on ground and roofs of cars, house and other places today morning," said a resident of Phulbani, Sabhyasachi Sahu.
"It's nail biting cold here. Daringbadi is called the Kashmir of Odisha but the chill in Phulbani is not less than Daringbadi," said another local of Phulabni, Snejeri Pradhan.
Apart from the two places, cold wave conditions swept across the district and paralysed normal life in G Udayagiri, Tikabali, Baliguda, Tumudibandha, Kotagarh and Chakapad block areas.
Thin layer of frost was also found in some remote areas of Balliguda and G Udayagiri, said reports.
Meanwhile, the intense cold wave has added to the miseries of the homeless and poor people in the districts. People have preferred to remain around the fire in their houses to get rid of the severe cold and do not dare to step out from houses before 11 am and after 7 pm all over the district, added reports.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has directed Collectors of various districts to take necessary preventive measures in view of the severe cold wave advisory issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in different parts of Odisha till December 25.
As there is likelihood of cold-related illness among people and chances of livestock getting affected due to exposure to cold condition, the SRC has asked district Collectors to take necessary measures in both rural and urban areas.
The district Collectors have been directed to take steps like coming up with special arrangements for homeless and needy to protect them from extreme cold wave condition.
The SRC office has also directed district Collectors to submit a report indicating the number of such buildings used as night shelters and number of people sheltered therein on a daily basis till the cold wave situation is over.
(Edited By Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)