Severe cold grips Kandhamal district as minimum temperature dips below 5°C

Severe cold conditions continue to grip Kandhamal district as temperatures have dropped sharply across the region, significantly affecting daily life. In several areas, the mercury has fallen below 5 degrees Celsius, marking one of the coldest spells of the season.

G. Udayagiri recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the district at 5 degrees Celsius. The district headquarters, Phulbani, registered a minimum temperature of 7.5 degrees Celsius, while Daringbadi, popularly known as the “Kashmir of Odisha”, reported a low of 8 degrees Celsius. Other hilly pockets of the district experienced even harsher conditions, with temperatures dipping 2 to 3 degrees Celsius lower than those recorded in Phulbani.

Adding to the chill, dense fog has enveloped large parts of Kandhamal, reducing visibility during the early morning hours. The foggy conditions generally persist until around 9 am to 10 am, causing inconvenience to commuters and residents.

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The prolonged cold spell has disrupted normal life, with people venturing out only when necessary during the early hours. Residents are relying heavily on warm clothing and firewood to cope with the biting cold. Authorities have advised people, particularly children and the elderly, to take necessary precautions as cold wave conditions continue to prevail in the district.