Bhubaneswar, Jan 8: Odisha continued to reel under severe cold wave conditions, with the mercury plunging to near-freezing levels in parts of the state for the first time this year. Kandhamal district’s G Udayagiri emerged as the coldest place, recording a minimum night temperature of 2.5 degrees Celsius, marking the season’s first instance of the mercury slipping close to the 2-degree mark.

Semiliguda in Koraput district followed closely, registering a minimum temperature of 3.2 degrees Celsius, underscoring the intensity of the cold spell gripping interior Odisha.

According to official data, several other towns across the state also recorded bone-chilling night temperatures. Rourkela logged 5.4°C, while Jharsuguda recorded 5.8°C. Keonjhar reported a minimum of 8.0°C. In coastal and central Odisha, the cold wave made its presence felt as well, with Bhubaneswar recording 9.4°C, Balasore 9.5°C, and Sambalpur 10°C.

Meteorological data showed Hirakud at 11.2°C, Paradip at 11.3°C, Gopalpur at 13.5°C, and Puri at 14.4°C.

The state capital Bhubaneswar’s minimum temperature of 9.4°C is significant, as it marks the fourth-lowest January temperature ever recorded in the city. Meteorologists noted that the reading repeated a historic low recorded in January 1952, highlighting the severity of the ongoing cold spell.

Dense fog coupled with biting winds added to the discomfort across western, southern, and coastal Odisha. Early morning travel was severely affected due to poor visibility, with commuters and traders reporting difficulties on highways and urban roads. Many schools and offices witnessed thin attendance, as residents preferred to remain indoors to escape the harsh cold.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that cold wave conditions are likely to persist for the next few days. The department has advised people to take adequate precautions, particularly elderly persons and children, who are more vulnerable to cold-related illnesses.

Health experts have urged citizens to wear adequate warm clothing, avoid unnecessary exposure during early morning and late-night hours, and stay alert to symptoms of seasonal ailments.

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With temperatures plunging to record and near-record lows, Odisha is currently witnessing one of its harshest winter phases in recent years, meteorologists said.