Bhubaneswar, 7/1 : Odisha is currently in the grip of an intense cold wave, with temperatures plummeting across the state, bringing life to a near standstill in many areas. The capital city, Bhubaneswar, has experienced a particularly dramatic drop, with mercury levels nosediving by a staggering 7.2°C in just the last three days, pushing the city’s minimum temperature to an unseasonably low 5°C in certain pockets of the state, well below its typical seasonal average.
The biting cold has swept across the entire state, with several districts recording minimum temperatures significantly below the seasonal average. While Bhubaneswar grapples with its lowest in recent memory, other interior and northern districts like Phulbani, Sundergarh, and Keonjhar have reported even harsher conditions, with temperatures consistently hovering around or below 5°C. Phulbani, often referred to as the ‘Kashmir of Odisha’ due to its consistently low temperatures during winter, registered the state’s lowest minimum at 3.5°C on Friday night, amplifying the distress among residents and prompting widespread concern.
Meteorologists attribute the sudden and severe drop in temperatures to the persistent influx of cold, dry northerly and northwesterly winds originating from the snow-clad Himalayan region. These winds, coupled with a clear sky and absence of significant cloud cover, have facilitated rapid radiative cooling during the night, allowing ground heat to escape quickly into the atmosphere. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has officially declared a “severe cold wave” condition for several parts of Odisha, indicating minimum temperatures are at least 6.5°C below normal or fall below 4°C in the plains. This phenomenon is further exacerbated by an anticyclonic circulation over parts of central India, driving the cold air mass south-eastwards.
The extreme cold has severely disrupted daily life across the state. Schools in several districts, including Bhubaneswar, have either declared holidays or adjusted timings to protect students from the harsh weather conditions, especially during the early morning hours. Public places, usually bustling with activity, wear a deserted look post-sunset as people prefer to stay indoors, seeking warmth and shelter. Night shelters are seeing an increased occupancy, and informal settlements, particularly those housing daily wage earners and homeless individuals, are proving to be particularly vulnerable to the biting chill.
Health officials have issued urgent advisories, warning citizens, especially the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions, about the risks of hypothermia, frostbite, and various respiratory illnesses. Doctors are reporting a noticeable surge in cases of cold-related ailments, including pneumonia, bronchitis, and common colds, urging people to take all necessary precautions. Farmers, already facing challenges from unpredictable weather patterns, are now concerned about potential damage to crucial rabi crops such as mustard, potato, and various vegetables, which are highly susceptible to frost.
In response to the escalating situation, the Odisha government has activated its disaster management machinery. District administrations have been directed to ensure adequate arrangements at temporary shelters, provide blankets and warm clothing to the homeless, and initiate extensive awareness campaigns on cold weather precautions through local media and public announcements. Public service messages are being broadcast, urging citizens to wear multiple layers of warm clothing, avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure during late night and early morning hours, and consume warm beverages to maintain body temperature. The state disaster response force (SDRF) and local police are also conducting patrols to identify and assist vulnerable populations, ensuring no one is left exposed to the elements.
The IMD has forecast that the intense cold wave conditions are likely to persist for at least another 48 to 72 hours, with no immediate significant respite in sight. While a marginal increase in minimum temperatures might be observed in coastal areas towards the end of the week due to changing wind patterns, interior regions are expected to continue experiencing severe cold. This spell of cold weather is one of the most intense Odisha has witnessed in recent years, drawing comparisons to the harsh winters of 2012 and 2014 when temperatures dipped significantly below normal for extended periods. The rapid plunge in Bhubaneswar’s mercury levels, in particular, has caught many off guard, as the capital typically experiences milder winters compared to its interior counterparts.
As Odisha braces for more days of chilling temperatures, residents are urged to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to safeguard their health and well-being. The state administration remains on high alert, continuously monitoring the situation and coordinating relief efforts to mitigate the widespread impact of this unprecedented cold snap. The hope remains that the biting winds will soon recede, bringing back warmer days and much-needed relief to the shivering state and its resilient population.
