Bhubaneswar: The cold spell has intensified across Odisha with the nighttime temperature dropping further in several areas of the state during the last 24 hours. At least seven places in the state recorded night temperatures (minimum temperatures) of below 10°C, while the minimum temperature was below 15°C in 12 places.
The intense chill across the state, especially the hilly regions, is due to the cold air flowing from the north-northwest direction. According to the regional office of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhubaneswar, the cold may intensify further and is likely to continue till December 17.
G Udaygiri in Kandhamal district was the coldest place in Odisha on Thursday recording a minimum temperature of 7.5°C and it was followed by Phulbani (8.5°C) in the plains, Kirei (8.7°C) in Sundargarh, and Semiliguda (8.7°C).
Similarly, Daringbari in the hills recorded a minimum temperature of (9.5°C), while it was followed by Koraput (9.8°C), and Rourkela (9.7°C).
Other places which recorded minimum temperatures of around 10°C include Keonjhar (10.4°C), Sundargarh (10.5°C), Angul (10.6°C), and Jharsuguda (10.8°C).
The minimum temperatures recorded in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack were (15.23°C) and 14.5°C) respectively.
The weather will remain dry across the state for the next one week, the IMD predicted. At the same time, most places are likely to experience shallow to dense fog in the morning.
