A severe cold wave has tightened its grip on Odisha, sending temperatures plummeting across the state and breaking decades-old records. The capital city, Bhubaneswar, woke up to a chilly 9.4 degrees Celsius on Friday, marking a sharp deviation from the seasonal norm.
Historic Lows and Shattered Records
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the situation was even more extreme in Cuttack. The city recorded a minimum temperature of 8.6 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest night the city has experienced in the past 40 years. The previous lowest for Cuttack was 8.7 degrees Celsius, recorded back on January 6, 1986.
The cold was not confined to the major cities. At least 25 places across Odisha recorded temperatures below 10°C. Rourkela in Sundargarh district shivered at 3.6 degrees Celsius, earning it the spot of the fourth coldest place in the entire country on that day. Jharsuguda town set a staggering 72-year record low by recording 4.6°C, which also represented the day's highest drop from normal at 7.2 degrees.
Impact on Daily Life and Business
The intense cold has significantly disrupted daily life and commerce. While business activities saw a slowdown, there was a noticeable and contrasting surge in the sales of winter essentials. Shops reported a sharp increase in demand for woollen garments, blankets, and room heaters as residents scrambled to stay warm.
The IMD's forecast offers little immediate respite. The weather agency has stated that cold wave conditions are likely to continue in some districts for at least two more days. A cold wave warning remains in effect for six districts—Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Cuttack, Khurda, Angul, and Dhenkanal—over Saturday and Sunday. A slight rise in night temperatures by 2-3°C is possible from Sunday onwards.
The Meteorological Cause Behind the Chill
Explaining the reason for this intense cold spell, senior scientist Umashankar Das from IMD's national weather forecasting centre in New Delhi pointed to a persistent weather system. A strong anti-cyclonic circulation over central India is channeling cold, dry winds from the north and north-west directly into Odisha, leading to the widespread drop in temperatures.
As Odisha battles this unusual chill, authorities and citizens are advised to take necessary precautions, especially the vulnerable populations, until the cold wave conditions abate.
