BHUBANESWAR, 3 JAN: Cold wave conditions disrupted normal life across the state as the mercury dropped to below 8 degree celsius in most parts with the Kandhamal district recording the lowest at 4.6 degree centigrade yesterday.
The weather forecast said the cold wave will continue for the next 48 hours. A stiff breeze and poor visibility due to fog kept people indoors till 10 am in most places. The breeze and dipping temperatures in evening hours also ensured that people remained indoors.
Bhubaneswar recorded 11.3 degree celsius yesterday, the coldest this season and at least five degrees less than the corresponding period last year, said official sources. Neighbouring Cuttack was warmer at 12.5 degree yesterday but interior districts like Angul, Sambalpur, Balasore, Kalahandi, Bolangir were all subjected to the biting cold with temperatures less than eight degree celsius.
The state is impacted by the cold wave prevailing in northern parts of the country, said officials indicating that even neighbouring states like Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand and parts of West Bengal were reeling under similar conditions.