Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Monday directed the district collectors to take necessary measures as most parts of the state reeled under an intense cold wave with the night temperature dipping below 10°C in nine places.
Phulbani was the coldest at 5°C followed by Jharsuguda (7.5), Balangir (7.8), Keonjhar (8.4), Sonepur (8.6), Sundargarh (9), Daringbadi (9), Boudh (9) and Baripada (9.6).
Apart from this, the night temperature remained below 15°C in 13 places including Balasore (11.1), Chandbali (10.8), Cuttack (12), Paradip (14.2), Bhubaneswar (13.8), Angul (11.6), Sambalpur (10.2), Hirakud (10.6), Talcher (12.8), Bhawanipatna (10), Koraput (13), Titlagarh (11.8) and Nayagarh (14.5).
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the cold wave in Odisha will intensify in the next few days till February 5 with the night temperature expected to fall by 3-5°C.
In view of the intense cold wave, IMD has issued orange and yellow warnings for the following districts.
February 2
(Orange warning)
Cold wave condition at a few places with severe cold wave condition at one or two places over the districts of Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Deogarh, Balangir and Kandhamal.
(Yellow warning)
Cold wave condition at one or two places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Boudh, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Nayagarh and Khurda.
February 3
(Orange warning)
Cold wave condition at a few places with severe cold wave condition at one or two places over the districts of Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Deogarh, Balangir and Kandhamal.
(Yellow warning)
Cold wave condition at one or two places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Boudh, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Nayagarh and Khurda.
February 4
(Yellow warning)
Cold wave condition at one or two places over the districts of Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Deogarh, Angul, Boudh and Kandhamal.
February 5
(Yellow warning)
Cold wave condition at one or two places over the districts of Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.
Govt Directive
Acting on the cold wave warning, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) said since there is an increased likelihood of cold-related illnesses among people, it may get further aggravated due to prolonged exposure to cold.
He directed the collectors of the districts given orange and yellow warnings to ensure that immediate arrangements are made for the opening of school buildings, community buildings and other available structures for use as night shelters by homeless and needy people.
He also asked them to submit a report mentioning the number of such buildings used as night shelters and the number of people sheltered there on a daily basis till the cold wave situation is over.
The collectors were also directed to step up public awareness campaign on do’s and don’ts to protect people and livestock from the cold wave in rural and urban areas.
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