Bhubaneswar: The cold wave returned to Orissa with Phulbani in Kandhamal district being the coldest place in the state as the mercury dipped to 3.5°C.
Eight other towns also recorded minimum temperature below 10 degree Celsius. Phulbani was followed by Daringbadi (4) in Kandhamal district, Sundargarh (7), Hirakud (7.9), Jharsuguda (8.4), Bolangir (8.7) and Angul (9).
Though the mercury rose in the past few days, people again experienced intense cold especially in interior parts of the state. The temperature has dropped by 2 to 4°C in several places.
The minimum temperature in Bhubaneswar was 13.7°C and Cuttack recorded 13.6°C. The cold wave condition is likely to continue till February 2, IMD predicted.
Shallow to moderate fog has occurred at one or two places, the IMD said adding that the cold wave condition prevailed over some parts of interior Orissa.
Daringbadi Sunday witnessed snowfall with the daily temperature recording a drastic fall.
Snowfall was witnessed near the coffee plantation in Daringbadi, the electrical office in Ladpanga, Grenbadi, Siangbali, Bhramarbadi, Partamaha, Dasingbadi, Danekbadi, Pliheri, Sraniketa, Tilori and Kirikuti under the block.
The area might witness more snowfall with the temperature coming down to 4°C Monday. Sukanta Kumar Patra, a resident, claimed that temperature had dropped to 3°C in Simanbadi Sunday.
PNN
