Kandhamal district in Odisha has been reeling under severe cold conditions for nearly one and a half months, with temperature consistently remaining below 10 degrees Celsius since November 10. The prolonged cold wave has caused significant discomfort to residents, particularly in interior and hilly areas, where the impact has been more pronounced.

On Wednesday, mercury dipped below 5 degrees Celsius in the district. G Udayagiri recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 4.3 degrees Celsius, followed by Phulbani at 6 degrees Celsius and Daringbadi at 7 degrees Celsius. Compared to urban pockets, temperature in rural and hilly regions have been recorded 2 to 3 degrees lower, intensifying the cold wave conditions.

Residents reported numbness in hands and feet due to the biting cold, with daily activities severely affected. Normal life has been disrupted as people struggle to cope with the harsh weather, especially during night hours when the chill intensifies soon after sunset and peaks around midnight, as sources said.

Dense Fog Reduces Visibility

Adding to the hardship, dense fog enveloped Kandhamal on Wednesday, drastically reducing visibility. According to reports, the fog set in from midnight and persisted till the time of reporting, limiting visibility to less than 10 metres in several areas. The region appeared blanketed under a white sheet, further hampering movement.

On Tuesday, the temperature in Kandhamal was recorded at 5 degrees Celsius, while on Wednesday, particularly in interior areas, it reportedly dropped further to 3 degrees Celsius.

Impact On Travel And Daily Activities

The dense fog and severe cold made commuting difficult, with driving becoming especially challenging along ghat stretches. A few accidents were reportedly recorded recently, prompting advisories for motorists to exercise caution.

Locals complained that warm clothing has been inadequate to counter the cold, with many stating that even after using multiple blankets, they continued to feel the chill. 

Also Read: Severe cold wave in Odisha: Jharsuguda chill breaks 15-yr record; no respite till New Year, says IMD

Despite the harsh conditions, a large number of tourists have been visiting Kandhamal to experience the winter chill, travelling to destinations such as Daringbadi and Udayagiri.