Odisha shivers as winter chill sets in; Rourkela records lowest minimum temperature

Cold wave conditions tightened grip across Odisha, with temperatures witnessing a sharp decline over the past few days. Rourkela emerged as the coldest city in the state, recording a minimum temperature of 10.5°C last night. This is said to be a drop of nearly six degrees within just six days.

The mercury has continued to dip across several northern and western districts, prompting residents to brace for a chilly spell. According to weather officials, cold conditions are likely to persist over the next few days as dry northerly winds dominate the region.

According to the latest reports, Jharsuguda recorded a minimum temperature of 10.6°C, while Sambalpur and Hirakud recorded 14.2°C and 14.8°C, respectively. The state capital, Bhubaneswar, felt the winter nip with a minimum temperature of 15.5°C. Meanwhile, coastal regions like Gopalpur (17°C) and Balasore (17.1°C) also reported a noticeable fall in the minimum temperature.

The continuous fall in mercury has led to a significant chill across western and interior Odisha, with morning fog and cold winds adding to the discomfort. 

Meteorologists predict that temperatures may drop further in the coming days, signalling the steady arrival of the winter season across the state.