Mercury dips to 9 degrees Celsius in some places in Odisha

With Cyclone Phethai withering away the mercury dipped to 9 degrees Celsius in at least three places in Odisha on Thursday.

Phulbani, Daringbadi and Sundargarh recorded the lowest temperature at 9 degrees Celsius, the Director of the Meteorological Centre here, H R Biswas, said.

"Though there is no cold wave in Odisha, temperature has already started dropping in many places. The mercury will fall further, intensifying cold conditions," Biswas said.

While the temperature fell to 10.6 degrees Celsius in Angul, it was 10 degrees Celsius in Keonjhar and 10.4 degrees Celsius in Sonepur.

The temperature is likely to remain 2 to 3 degrees below normal in most parts of the state in next few days, he said.

With the cyclonic storm withering away, cold wind from the northern region has started sweeping into Odisha and cold weather conditions are likely to intensify from Friday, the MeT office said.