Odisha Reels Under Intense Cold Wave

Bhubaneswar: Most parts of Odisha came under the intense cold wave with the mercury dipping to below 10 degree Celsius at seven places on Saturday.

According a release by the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, Phulbani was the coldest place in the state at 7 degree Celsius while temperature dipped to a single digit in Daringbadi (8), Keonjhar (8.8), Sundargarh (9), Jharsuguda (9.5), Angul (9.6) and Sambalpur (9.7).

Besides, temperature remained at 10 degree Celsius in Balasore (10.2), Baripada (10.6), Hirakud (10.6), Bhawanipatna (10.5) and Balangir (10.6).

The twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar were 12.2 and 13.9 degree Celsius respectively.

The release also said that the average night temperature in the state will come down to 2-3 degree Celsius and about 4 degrees at one or two places in the next four days till December 25.

In view of the cold wave condition, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has directed the district collectors to take necessary steps to provide night accommodation to the homeless persons inside schools and public buildings.

Besides, the civic body authorities have been asked to provide shelter to the homeless persons and tourists in night shelter homes.

Apart from this, the Health department and the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development (F&ARD) department have been asked to take care of the elderly and the livestock respectively.