Cold wave to sweep 12 dists in state for next 2 days: IMD

Bhubaneswar: Cold wave like conditions swept most parts of the state on Saturday as the minimum temperature dipped below 10 degrees Celsius in 16 places.
Jharsuguda recorded the day’s lowest minimum temperature of 5.6C and the highest drop of 6.5 from the normal. It was followed by Rourkela at 6C, with Sundargarh and G Udayagiri in Kandhamal district recording 7 degrees each. The city recorded a minimum of 11.5C and Cuttack was at 11 degrees. People were seen assembling around bonfires to beat the cold.
The IMD has issued a cold wave warning over isolated places in 12 districts for the next two days. The districts are Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Angul, Dhenkanal , Sambalpur, Sonepur and Boudh.
Umashankar Das, a scientist of the regional IMD centre, said night temperature will very likely remain below normal by 3-5C during the next 2-3 days. “Thereafter, night temperature will rise again by 2-4C,” he said.
Das said the inflow northwesterly and northerly dry and cold wind towards the state will lead to further dip in mercury level.
The IMD also issued an advisory asking people to stay indoors and avoid exposure to cold.