Bhubaneswar: Tourists in Odisha were left disappointed when the iconic Sun Temple at Konark all but disappeared behind a dense layer of fog on Monday.
Due to reduced visibility as fog persisted through the morning, visitors were unable to see the exquisite carvings and magnificent architecture of the 13th-century UNESCO World Heritage structure. However, the tourists continued to enjoy the cool climate and were seen clicking selfies.
The usually lively streets around the site were also eerily quiet and empty, with vehicles at a complete halt as drivers struggled to see through the thick haze.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), dense fog engulfed Khurda, Gopalpur, Rourkela, Dhenkanal, Koraput this morning, reducing visibility beyond 50 metres. Shallow fog was also seen in Bhubaneswar and Paradip.
In Koraput, a thick blanket of fog enveloped Laxmipur area. Drivers also face trouble navigating the road connecting Koraput with Rayagada, sources said.
While G Udayagiri was the coldest place in the state at 11.5 degree Celsius, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded above normal temperatures of 19 and 17.5 degree Celsius respectively.
A fresh system in the Bay of Bengal has subsided the brief cold spell, which the state experienced earlier this month, leading to a rise in the night temperature. The well-marked low pressure area, which persisted over Strait of Malacca and adjoining south Andaman Sea at 5.30 am, is expected to move west-northwestwards and concentrate into a depression over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea during the next 24 hours, before intensifying into a cyclonic storm over southeast Bay of Bengal during the subsequent 48 hours.
