Cold conditions continued to intensify across Odisha, with the Bhubaneswar Regional Meteorological Centre predicting that the severe cold spell will persist for the next few days. Fog and chilly winds are expected to disrupt daily activities, and authorities have advised commuters to avoid driving in low-visibility conditions.

According to weather officials, the minimum temperature dropped to 4°C on Sunday, the lowest recorded this season. In Kandhamal district, G. Udayagiri reported a minimum of 4.4°C. Ten locations across the state recorded temperatures below 10°C, including Semiliguda (6.1°C), Rourkela (7.2°C), Daringbadi (7.5°C), Jharsuguda (7.6°C) and Phulbani (8°C).

Dense Fog Affects Visibility

Severely dense fog was reported from Sonepur’s Binika on NH-126, where visibility remained extremely poor on Monday morning. Commuters voiced concerns over potential accidents, noting that the fog made driving risky and unpredictable.

To cope with the biting cold, residents gathered around tea stalls and lit roadside bonfires in an attempt to stay warm.

Describing the conditions, a local resident said, “For the past week, every morning, the fog is so dense that it is drastically affecting vehicular movement. Hands and feet go numb sometimes, and the fog often lasts till 10 am.”

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The cold wave and foggy conditions are expected to continue, prompting officials to urge caution on the roads and recommend protective measures against the sharp dip in temperature.