Odisha Freezes as Jharsuguda Records Season’s Lowest at 5.1°C
Odisha is reeling under an intense cold wave as Jharsuguda recorded the state’s lowest minimum temperature of the season at 5.1°C on Tuesday.
The chill extended across western and interior districts, with Rourkela at 6.6°C, Sundargarh at 7.6°C, and hill station Daringbadi at 7.5°C.
Bolangir stood at 8.8°C, while Keonjhar and Phulabani registered 9°C each. Sonepur reported 9.1°C, and Dhenkanal hovered just below double digits at 9.9°C.
Cuttack, Baripada, and Koraput recorded 10°C, while Bhubaneswar dipped to 12.9°C. Puri, at 14.6°C, was relatively warmer but still felt the impact of the cold wave.
Daily life slowed across towns as residents struggled to cope. In Jharsuguda, workers lit small fires before sunrise to keep warm, while shopkeepers in Cuttack delayed opening hours due to icy winds. “Winter this year feels harsher.
We are wearing extra layers even during the day,” said Anita Das, a resident of Badambadi.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a further drop of 2–4°C in the coming three days.
Officials have urged residents to take precautions, especially during the night and early morning hours, as the cold wave is expected to persist across western Odisha and the Bhubaneswar–Cuttack region.
