“As cold wave has gripped the state, the government has directed the schools not to continue morning classes. This is applicable to government as well as private schools,” School and Mass Education Minister Pratap Jena informed reporters here.
On the other hand, cold wave continued unabated with reports of snowfall in some areas in Keonjhar district. Kanjipani and Kiriburu in Keonjhar received snowfall and dense fog engulfed the skies. Similarly, Daringbadi is also receiving snowfall in the last couple of days.
While Phulbani shivered at 3 degrees Celsius, mercury dropped below 6 degree at Keonjhar, Titlagarh and Sambalpur. Similar were the conditions at Angul, Baripada and Koraput.
“We are not able to bear the chilly weather. The layer of snow remains till 11.00 am in the morning. Then it starts melting,” Keonjhar resident Ramakant Juang said.
The bitter cold wave has thrown life out of gear in many parts of the state. People especially the pavement dwellers had a tough time negotiating the ordeal as they were seen hanging around bonfires to defreeze them.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological office has forecast that the cold wave condition would prevail for the next 48 hours.
“The cold wave conditions would prevail for the next 48 hours in the interior parts of the state,” weatherman Sarat Panda said.