Cold Wave Grips Several Districts Of Odisha; Met Issues Orange Warning For Next Two Days

Bhubaneswar: Severe cold wave conditions prevailed across Odisha in several districts with temperatures dropping drastically and disrupting normal life. Kandhamal, Koraput, Jharsuguda, Bolangir, Sundargarh and other districts have reported temperatures plummeting to less than six degrees. Similiguda in Koraput district recorded the lowest temperature in Odisha at just 2 degrees Celsius. Likewise, Kirei in Sudargarh recorded 4.4 degrees. G Udaygiri, Phulbani, Rourkela, Sundargarh and Koraput recorded 4.6, 5, 6.4, 6.5, 6.5 degrees respectively last night. Jharsuguda, Daringbadi, Keonjhar, Bhabanipatna, Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Angul, Baripada, Nabarangpur, Sambalpur, Ranital, Bhadrak, Mahisapat, Hirakud also recorded temperatures below ten degrees.

The Met Department has issued Yellow Warning for severe cold in Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Kenijhar, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Boudh, Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Angul and Dhenkanal for the next two days. It has also predicted ground frost conditions in isolated places.

The Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha has issued an advisory in view of the cold wave conditions. The SRC has advised people to stay indoors during night and early morning and not to venture out unnecessarily. “Movement on two-wheelers and in open cars must be avoided, the advosory stated.

All district collectors have been asked to utilize the school buildings, community halls and other buildings as night shelters for the homeless and needy. “There is an increased likelihood of cold-related illness among people, which may be aggravated due to prolonged exposure to cold. Livestock may also be affected due to prolonged exposure to cold. Necessary measures need to be taken in this regard,” the advisory read.