Odisha 11 places record temperature below 10 deg C

Cold weather conditions tightened its grip over Odisha Monday as the temperature slid below 10 degree celsius in at least 11 places in the state.

Phulbani was the coldest place in the state recording a minimum temperature of 6.5 degree celsius, while the mercury dipped to 7 degree celsius at the tourist destination of Daringibadi, also in Kandhamal district, the meteorological centre here said.

Keonjhar recorded 7.2 degrees celsius, while the minimum temperature stood at 7.6 degree celsius at Angul, 8 degree at Sonepur, 9 degree at both Titlagarh and Sundargarh, 9.1 degree in Balasore, 9.5 degree in Sambalpur and Jharsuguda, it said.

The mercury plummeted to 9.1 degree celsius in state capital Bhubaneswar, while neighbouring Cuttack recorded a minimum temperatuer of 10.4 degree celsius.

Both Baripada and Balangir recorded 10 degree celsius, it said.

Coastal areas of the state also recorded a sharp fall in the night temperature.

The night temperature in most parts of the state is likely to remain 3 to 4 degree celsius below normal during the next three days in the state, it added.

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

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

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