Bhubaneswar: Winter has begun to make its presence felt in Odisha with the minimum temperature plummeting below the 20-degree Celsius mark in numerous parts of the state, including the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Kataka on Monday.
According to data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded at 8:30 AM, Bhubaneswar registered a minimum temperature of 18.9°C, while Kataka recorded 17.6°C.
Across the state’s interior and high-altitude regions, the mercury took an even steeper dive. Similiguda was the coldest, recording a hill station low of 12.2°C. In the plains, Phulbani registered the lowest minimum temperature at 14°C, closely followed by Bhawanipatna and Daringibadi at 15°C each, while Jharsuguda and Nabarangpur both settled at 16°C. Cool weather extended across multiple interior districts as well, with Kendujhar recording 16.6°C, Rayagada 17°C, Balangir 17.2°C, Debagarh 17.4°C, Paralakhemundi 17.5°C, and Hirakud 17.8°C.
Sub-20°C conditions also prevailed in Sundargarh and Titilagarh (18°C); Baleswar), Sambalpur, Malkangiri, and Sonepur at 18.2°C; Jajpur (18.4°C); Dhenkanal (18.9°C); Bhadrak (19°C); Boudh (19.2°C); and both Koraput and Baragada at 19.6°C each.
Additionally, a thick blanket of smoke enveloped Bhubaneswar following post-Diwali celebrations on Sunday night, drastically reducing visibility alongside moderate fog that limited viewing distances to between 200 and 500 metres. Dense fog was also reported in Raurkela, where visibility plummeted to between 50 and 200 metres.
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Notably, the weather agency on November 9 had forecast dry weather across the state, alongside a further drop in night temperatures by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next two to three days.