No let up in cold wave in Orissa

With reports of temperature remaining below ten degrees at 16 meteorological centers, state meteorological department has informed that the cold wave will continue for another three to four days.

“Except places like Paradip, Puri, Gopalpur and other coastal belts, we envisage the temperature to remain below ten degree Celsius which will continue for another three to four days”, said Deputy Director of Bhubaneswar meteorological centre, LDP Roy.

While the state capital is witnessing the lowest temperature in recent years, hilly districts like Phulbani, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Jharsuguda and Sundergarh are reeling under intense cold waves. In 2001, Bhubaneswar had witnessed the lowest temperature at 9.9 degree Celsius and after a ten year gap it is back again to give the denizens another freezing experience. This year the state also witnessed snowfall at many places.

“Earlier we never witnessed such kind of cold weather. It was even manageable but this time with the snowfall in place, life is tough here”, said Mahendra Kanhr, a resident of Phulbani.

After rise in temperature in last two days, the mercury has again continued to dip since last night. Adding fuel to the chilling cold, breeze has made life difficult as people are getting it tough to get out of homes before 10.00 in the morning and after 6.00 in the evening.

On Wednesday, Phulbani shivered at 2.2 degree Celsius while Sambalpur recorded 4.9. Sundergarh was freezing at 5.4 degree Celsius with Baripada 5.6, Jharsuguda and Banapur 6.2, Titilagarh 6.5, Hirakud 7.2, Bolangir 8, Angul 9, Balasore 9.2, Cuttack 9.7 and Bhubaneswar at 9.9 degree Celsius.