Odisha: 10 places record temperature below 10 degrees Celsius

Biting cold tightened its grip over Odisha Sunday with the temperature sliding below 10 degrees Celsius in at least 10 places.

Keonjhar became the coldest place in the state recording a minimum temperature of 7.1 degrees Celsius, while the mercury dipped to 7.5 degrees Celsius at the tourist destination of Daringbadi in Kandhamal district, the Meteorological Centre here said.

Coastal areas of the state also recorded a sharp fall in the night temperature with state capital Bhubaneswar and neighbouring Cuttack recording 10.2 and 11.1 degrees Celsius respectively.

The night temperature in most parts of the state is likely to remain 3 to 4 degrees Celsius below normal during the next three days in the state, the MeT centre said.

With most parts of the state shivering under intense cold, Odisha government on Saturday had asked district collectors to take steps to provide night accommodation to the homeless inside schools and public buildings.

The civic body authorities have also been asked to provide shelter to the tourists in night shelter homes, said an official.

Health department and fisheries and animal resources development departments have been asked to take care of the elderly and the livestock.