Bhubaneswar, December 15: Odisha continues to reel under a cold wave, with the chill expected to persist until December 17, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhubaneswar. Cold wave conditions are likely to prevail in parts of Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts until Monday, while shallow to moderate fog may affect areas in Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Bolangir, and Sundargarh till Monday morning.
The IMD attributes the plummeting temperatures to dry and cold northwesterly winds sweeping across the state.
Low-Pressure System to Bring Rains
The IMD also forecasts a fresh low-pressure area forming over the southeast Bay of Bengal within the next 24 hours. This system is expected to intensify and move west-northwestwards towards Tamil Nadu, bringing easterly winds laden with moisture. As a result, Odisha could witness light to moderate rainfall from December 17 to December 19.
December 18: Light rain is likely in Koraput, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Rayagada, and Malkangiri.
December 19: Rainfall may extend to Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam.
The incoming rains may trigger a gradual rise in night temperatures by 3–5°C.
Mercury Plummets Below 10°C
In the last 24 hours, at least ten locations in Odisha recorded temperatures below 10°C. G Udayagiri in Kandhamal district was the coldest at 6.6°C, followed by Jharsuguda and Rourkela at 6.8°C. Bhubaneswar and Cuttack registered 13°C and 11.5°C, respectively.
